Lophophora
|Lo-pho-pho-ra|
🇺🇸
/ˌloʊfəˈfɔrə/
🇬🇧
/ˌlɒfəˈfɔːrə/
crest-bearing (tufted) cactus genus
Etymology
'Lophophora' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the words 'lophos' and 'phoros', where 'lophos' meant 'crest, tuft' and 'phoros' meant 'bearing'.
'Lophophora' was formed as a Latinized botanical genus name in New Latin and adopted into modern scientific taxonomy to denote this group of cacti.
Initially it meant 'crest-bearing' (descriptive of a morphological feature), but over time it evolved to refer specifically to the genus of cacti called 'Lophophora'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small genus of spineless cacti in the family Cactaceae, native to Mexico; includes species such as Lophophora williamsii (peyote), some of which contain the psychoactive alkaloid mescaline.
Lophophora williamsii is well known for its traditional use in Native American spiritual ceremonies.
Last updated: 2025/09/06 21:10