Few plants have greater stories than those of the Peyote and Living Rock Cactus. Both of which are examples of the pure grit required to thrive in the harsh landscapes of the Chihuahuan Desert.

The tiny peyote is a spineless cactus made famous for its alkaloid, mescaline. Mescaline is a psychoactive substance that can cause hallucinations after ingesting either raw or dried. Because of its psychological power compounded with the development of the plant’s native range, peyote is listed as a vulnerable species.

The living rock cactus has been plagued by poachers who sell the beautiful plant to collectors overseas. Unfortunately for the living rock cactus, entire populations have been removed from Big Bend National Park as a result of illegal poaching. The extremely slow-growing plant is federally protected to fight continued illegal trading.