Peyote and Native American CulturePeyote was originally described in 1560, but it was not until the mid-19th century that botanists were able to conduct research in the field and correctly classify the cactus (Anderson, 1980). Field studies have concluded that there are two distinct populations of peyote that represent two species. The first and most common, Lophophora williamsii, ranges from southern Texas to the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. The second and less common of the two species is Lophophora difusa, found in the drier terrain of the Mexican state of Querétaro. This species differs from the most common species by "its yellowish green color rather than blue green, by the absence of any type of ribs or furrows, by its poorly developed podaria (raised bumps) and by the fact that it is a sweeter and more succulent plant. " (Anderson 1980). Native Americans use peyote in their religious practices due to its psychoactive properties and are commonly consumed in the form of mescal buds, the brown, dried pieces of the upper part of the cactus (Lewis, 1977). Peyote religion is ancient in its origin and spread originating in Mexico, in the mid-1800s, at a time when Native Americans were in desperate need of spiritual strength and enlightenment, Native Americans were confined to reservations overseen by the. military authority, while many of their ritual practices and traditions were considered illegal The origin stories regarding the practice of peyote ritual vary, but they all encompass a common theme, that the "supernatural" took pity on. those who were persecuted and communicated spiritually to Native Americans through the journey experienced under the chemical effects of peyote (Steltenka. .... middle of paper ......s as an escape from the world created by the white man. The impact this plant has had on civilization is that it is just an escape route for some, it is their vehicle of escape. cast them out of the material world and follow the peyote route. and Shamanism M. Hamer, Ed. England: Oxford University Press. Csordas, T., Kiyaani, M. 1997, March On the road to peyote, 106.48. Lewis, W. 1977, Medical Botany New. York: Wiley. Steltenkamp, ​​​​M. 1982. The Sacred Vision New Jersey: Paulist Press. Stewart, 0. 1987. Peyote Religion. Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. Swan, D. 1998. Early Osage Peyoism. Plains Anthropologist, 43(163), 51-71.Unknown, The Peyote Religion. www.peyote.net.