What is Lophophora Fricii?

Lophophora Fricii is a cactus that grows from a huge taproot with spherical spineless stems. The stems range in color from mild grey-green to yellow-green and are often devoid of well-defined ribs and furrows.

Flowers range in color from light to dark pink and reach a diameter of up to 1.6 inches (4 cm). It has been found grown in two different habitats, on plains with Xerophyllous scrub, mesquite and agave, and on limestone slopes and mountain tops.

This species has been reported to be endemic in the Coahuila state in Mexico. Lophophora Fricii is distinguished from the closely related species Lophophora Diffusa by its large size and longer spineless stems.

As with Lophophora Diffusa, the stems of Lophophora Fricii are generally relatively thin, except for what are called “fruiting branches” which can be up to 1m in length and which emerge from central crowns on plants that have not fruited.

This species has been found growing in two different habitats, on plains with Xerophyllous scrub, mesquite and agave, and on limestone slopes and mountain tops.

Is Lophophora Fricii illegal?

This species is not illegal in most countries. Lophophora Fricii cactus is not always sold as or misidentified as Lophophora Diffusa, a species that has been reported to be found in Mexico.

In northern parts of North America where temperatures remain below freezing for much of the year and these cacti should be placed outdoors with protection from frost and cold weather, Lophophora Fricii should be potted up after flowering.

Lophophora Fricii cactus is often sold as or misidentified as Lophophora Diffusa, a species that has been reported to be found in Mexico. Although Lophophora Fricii is a critically endangered species which could be native to parts of the southern USA, some nurseries are selling it under the name ‘L. Diffusa’.

It is not illegal to buy or sell Lophophora Fricii; however it is illegal to export this species from Mexico without a permit. It is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to deliberately propagate any plant of a kind specified in Schedule 9, including Lophophora Fricii.

Certain exemptions apply, but only if the person concerned holds a license issued by Natural England or the Scottish Ministers Authorizing propagation for one or more of the purposes specified in Schedule 9.

Why should I grow Lophophora Fricii?

Since Lophophora Fricii is a difficult species to find in the horticultural trade, it is also difficult to find people who have extensive experience growing it. Some of the advantages of growing this particular species include its large size and beautiful blooms.

Lophophora Fricii cactus is relatively low-maintenance, however like all cacti; it does not grow well in a wet soil. If you want to grow Lophophora Fricii as a house plant, it is best to let the soil dry out completely between watering and place it in bright, but indirect light.

Lophophora Fricii is relatively low-maintenance. It is generally easier to keep this plant healthy if you water it sparingly and let the soil dry out completely between watering.

How to care for Lophophora Fricii?

Care for Lophophora Fricii is relatively easy. They should be potted up after flowering or when they are 10-15cm in diameter, in the following aspects;

Light

Lophophora Fricii should be placed in bright, sunlight. If they are being grown indoors they need plenty of light exposure.

Temperature

Lophophora Fricii should be kept between 20 and 25°C at all times. When you have chosen a location for the home it is best to let the soil dry out completely between watering. As with all cacti, Lophophora Fricii does not grow well in a wet soil and will rot if over watered.

Water

Watering should be rather infrequent. This species tends to crack open or rot if over-watered. The fact that the plant retracts into the soil and assumes a grey-green coloring between watering, is perfectly natural, and doesn’t cause any damage.

Humidity

Lophophora Fricii should be kept very dry. The best way to do this is to place the cactus in complete darkness, with a humidity of below 30%. A sealed environment is also ideal for this species.

Repotting

Lophophora Fricii should be repotted every 2-7 years. When repotting it is generally easier to remove the soil from the roots and then to place a larger pot in its place. This species tends to have long, strong roots which can easily damage other pots, so it is best to avoid using any that are not specifically made for cacti.

Propagation

Lophophora Fricii is easily propagated through the seed or through cuttings. Branches which are over 10cm in length can be cut away from the plant and the section of branch that you have separated will regenerate into a new plant. Seeds should be planted in a very similar way, preferably with sterilized soil.

Soil

Lophophora Fricii should be planted in a potting mix that is composed of 40% peat, 30% perlite and 20% sand. A well-drained soil with a pH between 5 – 6 is preferable, however if you don’t have one available it can be made by mixing 1 part of grit and ½ part sand together.

How do I identify Lophophora Fricii?

Lophophora Fricii is hard to distinguish from Lophophora Diffusa, as they are very similar in appearance. The main difference between the two species is the firmness of their stems. The stems of Lophophora Fricii tend to be more firm than those of Lophophora Diffusa, with fewer spines and thicker skin.

The color of Lophophora Fricii cactus is also slightly darker, often with a cream washed appearance. Another notable characteristic of Lophophora Fricii cactus is its unique patterning, which includes running columns along the stem and “leaves” around the base of the plant.

This gives it an almost leaf like appearance when viewed from above, and makes it look a little bit more similar to some other cacti such as a variety of Echinocereus.

The flowers of Lophophora Fricii are another way to distinguish it as compared to its look-alike Lophophora Diffusa. They tend to be a bit smaller and have five petals, instead of the standard four, which is one way to distinguish them.

Lophophora Fricii also has smaller flowers than L. Diffusa. The flowers grow directly out of the stem and have yellow or white petals with a splash of purple at the center.

How can I grow Lophophora Fricii?

This species should be grown in a shady, cool spot indoors in frost free conditions. However, it will still thrive outdoors in parts of North America where temperatures remain consistently above freezing for most of the year.

This is because it is an epiphyte and does not require direct sunlight to survive. In fact, planting it outdoors in the shade with water will not be beneficial to its growth. It should be given adequate drainage, requiring a sandy soil. It also prefers good but not overly rich soil.

Although it is grown as a cactus house plant, it does very well in pots, which will grow it at the same pace as an indoor plant. If you are looking for something specific to grow outdoors in colder areas of the world, such as Montreal and Calgary Canada, Lophophora Fricii might be a good choice. Although growing outdoors call attention to itself due to its size, this is not a problem when grown indoors.

Is Lophophora Fricii active?

Lophophora Fricii (often referred to as False Peyote) is a genus of cactus in the genus Lophophora. It contains a high concentration of Pellotine and Anhalonidine and a little amount of Mescaline.

Habermann 1978a described an L. grown in a laboratory. It was obtained from Mexico and described as a “small, fast growing cactus with corkscrew-shaped branches, pale violet flowers and round tubercles”. Some of the diagrams shown in his paper appeared to be of a different species.

It is possible that the L. grown in a laboratory was simply a cultivar of L. Diffusa, which is actually an epiphytic species. This makes it very difficult to distinguish between the two species by looking at photos. The photo below, however, shows several differences between the two species:

As can be seen from this photo, Lophophora Fricii has a much smoother stem with fewer spines and no discolored areas just below the spines on its stems.

Is Lophophora Fricii self-fertile?

Lophophora Fricii is self-fertile. However, pollen from the flowers of the cactus is sterile and cannot pollinate them. The flowers of this species are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).

This means that that individual flowers can self-pollinate or cross-pollinate with a different flower. Lophophora Fricii is also attracted to insects and will cross pollinate with other plants if there are any around.

Although Lophophora Fricii can be grown in soil the best way to grow this species is through hydroculture or artificial mediums such as rock wool or perlite. This species tends to do better in a well-draining, sandy soil than it does in soil.

Is Lophophora Fricii an endangered species?

Lophophora Fricii is not currently an endangered species. However, it is important to note that in many countries where this plant originates from, such as Mexico and the United States, L. Fricii is at risk of being exploited for its mescaline content or destruction by urban development.

This species is a threatened due to habitat destruction and over-exploitation. Lophophora Fricii is a protected species according to Arizona state law.

Lophophora Fricii has been used by traditional healers for centuries as an alternative medicine and for recreational use.

The dried flowers of this plant are used in smoking mixtures and drinks, and the seeds are apparently hallucinogenic when chewed on. The use of this species as a drug has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Is Lophophora Fricii Legal in Canada?

Lophophora Fricii is not legal to buy, sell, or grow in Canada. It is listed as an “Out of Control Noxious Weed” in Alberta under the “rapid action plan” which seeks to eliminate infestations by eliminating the rate at which this species spreads.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Lophophora Fricii is a listed Noxious Weed in Canada and a prohibited import, according to the Opium Protocol. It is also prohibited for possession in Canada under section 36(1) (a) of The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).

Additionally, Lophophora Fricii is banned in Arizona under the Desert Protection Act. This species also appears to be illegal to purchase in Connecticut and New York (it is listed as a “Prohibited plant”). It is also prohibited by law to grow this species in California under the California Poppy Act. It is also illegal to remove Lophophora Fricii from the wild in Canada.

As with any plant, the legality of Lophophora Fricii can change depending on the locality and location of where you are purchasing it. As a result, we recommend checking with the relevant state department or agency before growing this species.

How long does it take for Lophophora Fricii?

Lophophora Fricii species are extremely slow-growing, sometimes taking up to thirty years to reach flowering age (at the size of a golf ball, excluding the root) in the wild. Cultivated specimens develop much quicker, often taking three to ten years to mature blooming adults.

Lophophora Fricii species are epiphytic cacti, and require a high one way air flow. If the air flow is blocked, then the roots will not get enough oxygen, which can lead to the death of the plant.

Aftercare plants require protection from dogs and human contact. They also require drainage holes in their pots so that excess water can drain out of them.

How often should I water Lophophora Fricii?

While much water is useful during the summer months when temperatures exceed 90 °F (32 °C) and the plant is exposed to direct sunshine, it must be allowed to dry fully between watering. Additionally, they need be fertilized twice a year.

Lophophora Fricii requires a high humidity level during the summer months, so make sure to mist them regularly. When water is used consistently and properly over time, Lophophora Fricii can develop very large and beautiful flowers.

Lophophora Fricii is already an exceptionally slow growing plant which makes it difficult to maintain. Without proper watering, this plant will not grow.

The best way to water this species is by checking the soil inside of the pots every few days until you can feel moisture about an inch down; only then is it safe to water the plants again.

To grow in the ground, Lophophora Fricii should be kept at an average of five inches tall when it grows to maturity. However, it seems as though their growth rate is much slower on the top of a house and other structures. Because of the way it grows, Lophophora Fricii is unable to grow taller than five feet in the wild.