Anthropology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Human-Peyote Interaction in South Texas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-28-2008

Abstract

South Texas has long been an important region for Native Americans who use peyote, Lophophora williamsii (Lem.) Coulter, in sacramental form. Since before the turn of the century, Native American peyotists collected and used the cactus, which grows primarily throughout a region extending from northeastern Mexico to south Texas. When North American peyotism was formalized through the Native American Church early this century, demand for the cactus increased dramatically, a trend continuing to this day (Stewart 1987). Mounting harvesting pressures upon the south Texas Peyote population now threaten the long-term viability of the peyote gardens, as the peyote fields are known, and their sacramental availability to Native American Church members.

Comments

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/share/XEAW5VFFDHWXMWE4BYQ4?target=10.1525/cag.2000.22.1.29

Publication Title

Culture & Agriculture

DOI

10.1525/cag.2000.22.1.29

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