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Lophophora diffusa ssp. kubesae ("kubesai")

CACTUS ART
NURSERY

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of Cacti and Succulents.


Lophophora diffusa ssp. kubesae
JJH 0010892 Punte Mezquitio , Queretaro, Mexico
This plant is prone to offsetting (in contrast to the typical solitary stemmed L. diffusa specimens) eventually forming multi-headed heaps up to 1,5 mt in diameter.
 

Description :  The ssp. kubesai is a globular spineless plant with a large tap root.  It is very similar in all aspects to the standard L. diffusa, and is not easily distinguishable as a young plant..  The particularity of this subspecies will be revealed only in older specimens that are larger in size and tend to form large multi-headed heaps, up to 1,5 mt in diameter (in contrast to the typical single stemmed L. diffusa specimens).
Stem: Lacking well-defined ribs and furrows. The epidermis is glaucous-yellow-grey..
Ribs: 5 to 13, the podaria are are broad and flat.
Areoles:
With tufts of hairs that usually spread unequally on the scarcely prominent podaria.
Flowers: The flowers are whitish or pinkish (rarely red) , reaching over 3 centimetres in diameter.


Cultivation:
Slow growing.   It requires partial shade in summer, full sun the rest of the year.
Grow it in a narrow and deep container to accommodate the tap root They are very rot prone, so use highly gritty compost with much drainage.
Waterings 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 waterings is perfectly natural, and doesn’t cause any damage.
Like other arid zone cacti, it requires a dry and cool over-wintering.  Otherwise they may succumb to rot.  This also promotes flowering.  Assure a good ventilation.

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 daytime temperatures and low night-time temperatures), as they simulate the desert environment.  Keep constantly humid, as seedlings cannot survive if too dry.  Seedlings will emerge in 7-21 days, and can be grown in the same environment for a number of months.  Mulch with a thin layer of small quartz gravel (1-2 mm in 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 5-10mm in diameter.

Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

Photo gallery Lophophora


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Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific Name: Lophophora diffusa ssp. kubesae Halda, Kupcak et Malina ("kubesai").
in Actaa Mus Richnov. 9( 1): 66-67 & Fig.77. 2003 Halda. J. J. (2002) in Acta Mus. Richnov. 9(1): Fig.77 2003


Etymology: Named after the naturalist M. Kubesa, friend of the author.

Common Name: False peyote.


Origin: Endemic of the of the state of Querétaro, México it grows only in a small area between Vizarron, Bucareli, and Toliman. L. diffusa occurs at the southern end of the range of the genus.

Habitat: Xerophytic shrubland.  L. diffusa grows mainly beneath the canopy of some locally dominant shrubs and possible nurse plants (e.g. Larrea tridentata and Acacia sororia)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

This is a relative of Lophophora williamsii, the true Peyote. It has many morphological and chemical differences, and does not contain the same substances as L. williamsii. This species contains no trace amounts of mescaline like the Peyote. But it does contain a lot of other alkaloids, the principal of which is pellotine.  It is not narcotic and is not specifically named in the law, and it is probably legal to possess.

Synonyms:  
  • Lophophora diffusa (Croizat) Bravo
    Published in: Cact. Succ. Mex. 12: 13, 1967
 

 


Lophophora diffusa
ssp. kubesai


Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Lophophora diffusa.

Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.