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Growers Notes... New Species or Not??

Lophophora Williamsii
var. Huizachi

Lophophora Williamsii var. Huizachi from the area just outside of El Huizachi San Luis Potosi Mexico is possibly one of the most unique variations within the Williamsii variety. Bohata's studies have indicated this specie to be of the southern form of Williamsii plants indicating that not only is it self-sterile, but its rooting system is somewhat different from most within the Williamsii northern varieties. The difference between the southern and northern variations is interesting in that when the northern variations shoot a pup from one of its areolas the pup remains attached feeding off the tuber of the original mother plant until such a time as someone either breaks or cuts it off to dry and eventually root. With the southern variety of Lophophora once pups spring from the mother plants areola, it eventually begins to shoot its own feeder roots while allowing its original attachment point to dry up so that the plant can break off and live on its own. I can verify at this point in the growth cycle of my seed grown plants that mature adults are indeed self sterile, but as of yet none within my collection have shot any pups as of yet.

Another aspect that is very interesting with the Lophophora Williamsii var. Huizachi specimens is the plants overall physical look and body colour. The colour of the plant is deeper in tone and somewhat bluish when compared to those of the Williamsii family of plants. It also has a very different rib formation similar to those of the weisse Bluete, and pentagona variations. In fact, since there is no known/confirmed location information available for the two spoken of similar strains it is my guess that both the weisse Bluete and pentagona variations could actually be originally from those of the Huizachi group of plants having lost proper labels at some point in the early travels of these amazing plants... You can quote me on this if you like but I haven't any proof... just personal observations and thoughts.

As can be seen on the photos here below, the flower of this Huizachi variation has a long tube, narrow petals, a long style and a very small white stigma which is more similar to plants of the Diffusa family when compared to those of the northern Williamsii variations. It has also been reported that this Huizachi variation is the most variable in form with heads having five, seven or ten ribs on a single cluster and another having five, eight or thirteen ribs. Such a variability in rib count is said to be unique to this variation of Lophophora Williamsii.

Above: Lophophora Williamsii var. Huizachi

Above: Lophophora Williamsii var. Huizachi in flower

Above: Lophophora Williamsii var. Huizachi double flower