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Accepted Scientific Name: Lophophora williamsii (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) J.M.Coult.
Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 3: 131. 1894

Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar). The natural species has a very limited range around the lagoon near Viesca in the state of Coahuila, Northern Mexico.
Synonyms:
Lophophora williamsii (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) J.M.Coult.
Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 3: 131. 1894
Synonymy: 34
- Lophophora williamsii (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) J.M.Coult.
- Anhalonium visnagra K.Schum.
- Anhalonium williamsii (Salm-Dyck) Rümpler
- Anhalonium williamsii Lem. ex Förster
- Ariocarpus williamsii (Salm-Dyck) Voss
- Echinocactus lewinii (Henn. ex Lewin) K.Schum. in Engl. & Prantl
- Echinocactus williamsii Lem. ex Salm-Dyck
- Echinocactus williamsii var. anhaloninicus K.Schum.
- Echinocactus williamsii var. pellotinicus (K.Schum.) Rouhier
- Mammillaria williamsii (Lem.) J.M.Coult.
- Lophophora williamsii var. echinata (Croizat) Bravo
- Lophophora echinata Croizat
- Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. cristata hort.
- Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. variegata hort.
- Lophophora williamsii subs. grymi Halda, J.Kupčák & Sladk.
- Lophophora williamsii var. heptagona Y.Itô
- Lophophora williamsii var. jourdaniana (Haberm.) hort.
- Anhalonium jourdanianum Lewin
- Echinocactus jourdanianus Rebut ex C.A.Maass
- Lophophora jourdaniana Haberm.
- Lophophora williamsii var. lewinii (Henn. ex Lewin) J.M.Coult.
- Anhalonium lewinii Henn. ex Lewin
- Lophophora lewinii (Henn.) Rusby
- Mammillaria lewinii (Henn. ex Lewin) H.Karst.
- Lophophora williamsii var. pentagona Croizat
- Lophophora pentagona (Croizat) V.Gapon
- Lophophora williamsii var. pluricostata Croizat
- Lophophora pluricostata (Croizat) V.Gapon
- Lophophora williamsii var. texana Frič ex Kreuz.
- Lophophora lutea var. texana (Frič ex Kreuz.) Backeb.
- Lophophora williamsii var. typica Croizat
Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa Y.Itô
1952 (nom. inval)
Accepted name in llifle Database:
Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa f. variegata hort.
Accepted name in llifle Database:
Lophophora williamsii var. cristata Houghton
J. Cact. Succ. Soc. Amer. 2: 490. 1931
Accepted name in llifle Database:
Lophophora williamsii var. fricii (Haberm.) Grym
Rod Lophophora 56 1997
Synonymy: 8
- Lophophora williamsii var. fricii (Haberm.) Grym
- Anhalonium floro rosea Frič
- Lophophora diffusa subs. fricii (Haberm.) Halda
- Lophophora fricii Haberm.
- Peyotl zacatensis (Haberm.) Sotom., Arred. & Mart.Mend.
- Peyotl zacatensis var. fricii (Haberm.) Sotom., Arred. & Mart.Mend.
- Lophophora fricii var. decipiens (Croizat) P.Hansen
Lophophora williamsii f. variegata hort.
Cultivars (2):
Description: Lophophora williamsiiSN|1117]]SN|1117]] var. fricii is a geophytic, button-like, spineless cactus with large tap root, and only the apical part of the stem exposed at soil level. Variety fricii differs from var. williamsii by the large pale to dark pink flowers and stems usually lacking well defined ribs.
Crested form: The beautiful and very rare crested form (Lophophora williamsiiSN|1117]]SN|1117]] var. fricii f. cristata) is sought after by specialized collectors and impassioned for its unique tufted appearance. It forms low growing grey-green fan-shaped stems with broad and flat (rarely elevated) tubercles.
Stem: Fan shaped forming in time nicely contorted and convoluted brain-like mounds. Pale grey-green to yellow-green, usually lacking well defined ribs and furrows.
Areoles: With tufts of hairs that usually spread unequally on the prominent podaria.
Flowers: Commonly pale to dark pink ( or rarely pinkish white), reaching over 4 centimeter in diameter.
Note: Lophophora williamsiiSN|1117]]SN|1117]] var. fricii f. cristata is generally increased from cuttings. However, on sowing seed, a minimal proportion of seedlings show the same crested condition. Whichever way propagation is carried out, the same name is to be applied to the crested plants that form the cultivar, moreover there are several clones shoving different degrees of cristation all referable to the same cultivar name. The non-cristate plants raised from seeds collected on crested parents are treated as indistinguishable parts of the species.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Lophophora williamsii group
Lophophora fricii var. decipiens (Croizat) P.Hansen: With the exception of the smaller and more pale pink flowers, its appearance corresponds to the appearance of Lophophora Fricii.
Lophophora williamsii (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) J.M.Coult.: Globular or somewhat flattened glaucous green or greyish green spineless cactus up to 6 cm tall, 12 cm diameter, with a woolly top; It has a large taproot which may extend over 25 cm below ground level.
Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa Y.Itô: This name is used to indicate a number of clones of horticultural origin characterized by a more or less accentuated production of axillary shoots that in age grow and form huge cushions.
Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa f. variegata hort.: variegated form.
Lophophora williamsii var. cristata Houghton: There is an impressive array of cristates which forms glaucous green, dull bluish or greyish green, very succulent contorted and convoluted brain-like mounds. They are some of the more striking and priced crested cacti.
- Lophophora williamsii var. echinata (Croizat) Bravo
Lophophora williamsii var. fricii (Haberm.) Grym: Beautiful variety with large intensive pink pink flowers.
Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. cristata hort.: crested form.
Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. variegata hort.
Lophophora williamsii var. fricii cv. Marbles: has wide and well developed rounded tubercles. Seems to be a pretty variable plant with several clones.
- Lophophora williamsii subs. grymi Halda, J.Kupčák & Sladk.: Solitary or in group with 6-10 prominent straight ribs with low polygonal tubercles with short brownish wool. Flowers large pinkish-white.
Lophophora williamsii var. jourdaniana (Haberm.) hort.: It has rose-violet or dark pink-red perianth, pistil and filaments with small long persisting spines on young areoles. Old plant forms a dense cluster or mound.
- Lophophora williamsii var. lewinii (Henn. ex Lewin) J.M.Coult.: Long areolar hairs.
- Lophophora williamsii var. pentagona Croizat: All heads 5-ribbed.
- Lophophora williamsii var. pluricostata Croizat: Ribs always numerous.
Lophophora williamsii var. texana Frič ex Kreuz.: (or texensis ) is the phenotype from the Texas area (USA), this local form has very grey pruinose stems with numerous flat ribs (up to 14 in adult specimens).
Lophophora williamsii cv. Kikko: This odd cultivar is easily distinguishable for its ± wide and long pointed tubercles along the bumped ribs edges. Seems to be a pretty variable plant with several clones.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Terry, M. 2013. "Lophophora fricii." The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 December 2014.
2) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
3) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
4) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
5) Edward F. Anderson “Peyote: The Divine Cactus” University of Arizona Press, 1996

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. cristata Photo by: Prof. Ilham Alakbarov

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. cristata Photo by: Flavio Agrosi

Lophophora williamsii var. fricii f. cristata Photo by: Flavio Agrosi
The gallery now contains thousands of pictures, however it is possible to do even more. We are, of course, seeking photos of species not yet shown in the gallery but not only that, we are also looking for better pictures than those already present. Read More...
Cultivation and Propagation: Lophophora williamsii var. fricii is a slow growing cactus species.
Soil: Because of the tap root they are very rot prone, so use highly gritty compost with much drainage.
Exposure: Requires half shade to part sun.
Watering: Watering should be rather infrequent to keep the plant compact and avoid it becoming excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance. Watering it properly is often difficult, because this plant tends to crack open or rot if over-watered. The fact that the plant retracts into the soil and assumes a grey-green colouring between watering, is perfectly natural, and doesn’t cause any damage.
Overwintering: Keep completely dry and cool in winter (An unheated greenhouse would be perfect) or when night temperatures remain below 10° C, it can survive low temperatures (appr. -7°C) for a short period. Assure a good ventilation.
Use and Trade: The species is used locally for treating sore muscles.
It is very likely that the species is collected for the production of ointments at a large scale. The species might seldom be collected for ingestion by mistake, as it does not have hallucinogenic properties such as Lophophora williansii.
Specific tips for growing the crested forms: The crests are frequently grafted onto columnar cacti but are easily grown on their own roots. Any normal shoots should be removed to promote the growth of the crest.
Propagation: Seeds. Seeds should be sown in spring in sterile cacti mix. Cover with a humidity dome or plastic wrap and leave in a warm spot in 50-75% shade. Fluctuating temperatures are best (ie. high day temperature and low night temperature) as they simulate the desert environment. Keep constantly humid as seedlings cannot survive if to dry. Seedlings will emerge in 7-21 days and can be grown in the same environment for a number of months. Mulch with thin layer of small quartz gravel (1-2mm diameter) this helps them stay upright, hinders algae growth and regulates moisture. As they get older the watering can become less frequent. Potting up can be done when 5-10 mm in diameter.
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