For centuries, Indians of North America have ritually consumed the peyote cactus.  Peyote harvested from south Texas fields has supplied the Native American Church with its sacramental plant since the Church's incorporation in 1918.  Since before that time persons known as peyoteros, living in the regions of Texas peyote growth, have harvested and sold peyote to Native Americans.  The demand for peyote this century has led to an increasing scarcity of the plant, however.  Land practices, such as cattle grazing and root plowing, have further damaged peyote habitat and hindered the plant's renewability.  The plant's long-term survival today hinges upon an understanding of its biogeographical needs and of the human relationships centered upon it.

Keywords: peyote, Native American Church,  peyoteros; South Texas