Ep. 217 - The Plight of Peyote

Peyote or Lophophora williamsii is a small, spineless cactus native to southern North America. Thanks to some very potent alkaloids in its tissues, peyote has managed to capture the minds of humans for millennia. Today its numbers are declining at an alarming rate. Habitat destruction and rampant poaching are taking a serious toll on this species. Joining us to talk about all of the sociopolitical issues surrounding peyote decline is Keeper Trout, an independent scholar and self-proclaimed information junky who is working hard with the Cactus Conservation Institute to better understand what can be done to limit pressures on wild peyote populations. What follows is an in-depth look at the plight of the peyote cactus. This episode was produced in part by Brittney, McMansion Hell, Joey, Catherine, Brandon, Hall, Vegreville Creek and Wetlands Fund, Kevin, Oliver, John, Johansson, Christina, Jared, Hannah, Katy Pye, Brandon, Gwen, Carly, Stephen, Botanical Tours, Moonwort Studios, Lisa, Liba, Lucas, Mohsin Kazmi Takes Pictures, doeg, Clifton, Stephanie, Rachelle, Benjamin, Eli, Rachael, Anthony, Plant By Design, Philip, Brent, Ron, Tim, Homestead Brooklyn, Brodie, Kevin, Sophia, Brian, Mark, Rens, Bendix, Irene, Holly, Caitlin, Manuel, Jennifer, Sara, and Margie.