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Growers Notes... New Species or Not??

Lophophora Diffusa

Lophophora Diffusa originally found along the slopes and river beds of the Rio Extorax and Rio Moctezuma Basins on the outskirts of Queretaro Mexico and is listed as one of the two original species within the genus of Lophophora. It is noted that plants within the Diffusa family are all non mescaline bearing and contain pellotine as the plants primary alkaloid.

In my experience, this is the only plant within the Lophophora genus to grow a purely white flower without any noticeable variations in shade. The white purity of this plants flower can be seen in the photos here below, although I should mention, that in the first picture the only plant that is 6 centimetres in width is the smallest one on the bottom right, the rest are slightly larger than that. Lophophora Diffusa has also proven to be the fastest growing plant within the genus second only to the caespitosa variation, growing at twice the rate of any plant within the Diffusa or Williamsii family reaching dimensions of up to fifteen centimetres. As the plants grows, one notices the skin to feel a bit softer than the typical Williamsii, while maintaining a slightly lighter colour of green. Another primary difference is in the rib formation with L. Diffusa having as many as twenty one diffused ribs which are not clearly defined, and a thin epidermis, as well as a longer flower tube than the typical Williamsii. This plant also grows a wonderful tuber which seems somewhat small compared to its quickly growing head. These interesting features of Lophophora Diffusa can be easily seen in the photo at the bottom of the page of huge eighteen month old seedlings ready for transplant. It is assumed that with time and proper nutrients, a sizeable tuber will develop as the plant spreads.

As noted by others, Lophophora Diffusa has proven to be self sterile, requiring cross pollination for the production of seed. Seed pods tend to be quite large, holding a great number of seeds in comparison to that of the typical Williamsii plant with upwards of twenty, thirty, or even more seeds in each pod. The species has also proven itself to pup quite readily, eventually creating a wonderful plant with many flowering heads.

Greater care should be taken with this plant, along with others within the Diffusa family of plants in that it is much more rot prone than those within the Williamsii family.

Above: Lophophora Diffusa Two Year Old Plants

Above: Lophophora Diffusa in flower

The above photograph of one of my youngest yet mature Lophophora Diffusa plants offers a wonderful example of this species pure white and unique flower as well as a demonstration of how this plant is said to lack ribs but instead offers a certain smoothness to its skin.

Above: Eighteen month old Lophophora Diffusa seedlings