Peyote is a slow-growing cactus native to limited regions of the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas and northern Mexico. Individual peyote plants can take 10 to 15 years to reach maturity, making natural populations especially vulnerable to overharvesting. Scientific surveys have documented significant population declines in parts of its native range, largely driven by habitat loss, land development, and unsustainable harvesting practices. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Overharvesting poses a serious ecological risk because peyote does not readily regenerate if harvested improperly. When the root system is damaged or removed, the plant often dies rather than producing new growth. Conservation research emphasizes that repeated harvesting from the same areas can permanently reduce local populations, disrupting fragile desert ecosystems that depend on long-term plant stability. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
Demand pressures have increased as peyote use expands beyond its traditional ceremonial contexts. While peyote is legally protected for religious use by members of the Native American Church in the United States, non-indigenous demand has contributed to illegal harvesting and black-market distribution. Scholars and conservationists warn that this trend threatens both ecological sustainability and the cultural survival of peyote-centered traditions. Harvard Divinity School, Religious Literacy Project
In response to these risks, conservation initiatives increasingly focus on ethical harvesting practices, cultivation research, and legal protections for indigenous stewardship. Some studies explore the feasibility of peyote cultivation to relieve pressure on wild populations, though challenges remain due to the plant’s slow growth and specific environmental requirements. Ethical frameworks consistently emphasize that conservation efforts must prioritize indigenous rights and traditional ecological knowledge. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, ScienceDirect
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