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Astrophytum is a genus of six species of cacti. These species are sometimes referred to as living rocks, though the term is also used for other genera, particularly Lithops (Aizoaceae). The generic name is derived from the Greek words άστρον (astron), meaning "star," and φυτόν (phyton), meaning "plant."
Below is the detailed description of Astrophytum asterias
Astrophytum asterias is a species of cactus in the genus Astrophytum, and is native to small parts of Texas in the United States and Mexico. Common names include Sand Dollar Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, Star Cactus and Star Peyote. Wikipedia
Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Scientific name: Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) .
Origin: is native to small parts of Texas in the United States and Mexico.
Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 1
. Habitat destruction has been, and remains, the major cause of the decline in this species; vast areas have been converted to agricultural use and road construction.[6] In
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have drafted a Recovery Plan in an attempt to secure the future of this species.[6] The Recovery Plan highlights the need to protect existing populations, carry out research into possible new populations and to develop a formal conservation agreement between the United States and Mexico.[6]
Habitat: Star cactus is native to the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas in the United States[5][7] and the states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas in Mexico,[2] to the east of the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range.[4]
Previously more abundant, this species is today restricted to a single 200-acre site in
Common English Names: Sand Dollar Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, Star Cactus and Star Peyote.
Etymology: The generic name"Astrophytum" derives from the Greek words "aster (αστηρ)", meaning a"star" and "phyton (φυτον)", meaning"plant". ( The Genus name implies:"star plant").
The specific name "asterias" derives from the Greek name “aster (αστηρ)”that means “a star” an aster type plant*, and the Greek suffix “ias (-ιας) ”meaning “like to, comparable, similar” The specific name implies: "star like (like an aster)"
The shell of a sea urchin
Astrophytum asterias Photo from my collection
Description: Solitary geophyte cactus.
A. asterias is small, round, spineless and squat, reaching a height of 2.5–6 cm (0.98–2.4 in) and a diameter of 5–15 cm (2.0–5.9 in).[3] The disc-shaped body is divided into 7 - 10 sections, known as ribs; in the middle of each rib there are woolly areoles.[4] The body is a greenish-brown color and may appear speckled from its covering of white scales.[5]
Stem: small, round, spineless and squat, reaching a height of 2.5–6 cm (0.98–2.4 in) and a diameter of 5–15 cm (2.0–5.9 in)
Ribs: 5(8)11, generally it has eight flat ribs, rare few or more. ( but in cultivation selected
Areoles: round, cream-colored till white hairy up to 6 (3-12) mm) of diameters. The areoles are normally set in a separation up to
Spines: Not any. Only seedlings show some rudimentary spines within the first weeks and months.
Roots: the underground body is fleshy, turnip-like, with fine roots.
Hairy scales: usually loose - are sprinkled over the stem in irregular patterns, sometimes arched around the areoles or on line. Cultivated plants possess sometimes very dense and big hairy scales. There are also completely flake free pure green specimens. On the picture below is the Japanese cultivar Super Kabuto with very dense scales. Picture was taken from Wikipadia
The popularity of this species among collectors and enthusiasts has ensured that a number of cultivars are available. One such cultivar is the 'Super Kabuto', a highly spotted white clone.
Flowers: are usually yellow with a red, orange throat, plants start blooming when about 3 cm diameter.
Bloom time: from spring to summer
Recommended Temperature Zone: 9 to 11
Frost Tolerance: -7º C (20º F) if the soil is completely dry
Minimum Avg. Temperature: 5º C (40º F)
Watering Needs: A. asterias can take full sun in most regions, but care should be taken to protect from the intense afternoon Southwest USA heat and sun (Arizona, Nevada, California) Light to medium watering during the growing season is all that is needed. Make sure to use a well draining soil mix and that it dries out completely between watering. This specie can handle short spurts of cold temps down to
Cultivation: is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. The plants need a loose well-drained mineral soil. They need a good amount of light. Watering can be done weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough, with a little fertilizer added. Kept this way, plants will show a healthy, although slow growth. They are frost hardyto -4° (-10°) C
Sand Dollar Cactus has been grown as a houseplant[10] since the 1840s,[4] like other members of its genus and despite its rarity in the wild. It is readily propagated from seed,[4] so most plants encountered in nurseries are seed grown. The popularity of this species among collectors and enthusiasts has ensured that a number of cultivars are available. One such cultivar is the 'Super Kabuto', a highly spotted white clone.
Propagation: By seeds, remembering that seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions and need to be repottedfrequently. Eventually, as they become mature, they attain a maximum size of 8-
Pests: Parasitic nematodes (Xiphenema sp.)
Falcifer ground mealybag (Rhizzoecus falcifera)
Privet mite (Brevipalpus obovatus)
Diseases: Basal rot (Sclerotium cacticola)
Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Scientific name: Astrophytum capricorne (A. Dietrich) Britton & Rose 1922
Astrophytum capricorne was described at the year 1851 from Dr. Albert DIETRICH as Echinocatus capricornis.
In 1922 BRITTON and ROSE recombined this genus to Astrophytum.
Etymology:
Origin: Northern Mexico (Coahuila) widespread in the
Chihuahuan Desert.
Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.
Habitat: The Capricorn covers a wide range in the north-east Mexico (mostly in the state of Coahuila) which can be outlined by a triangle formed by the cities of Monterrey, Monclova and Torreon.
It grows in desert areas where rainfall is much lower than in the habitat of other species of Astrophytum.Neighboring rainfall of 250-
It grows mainly on limestone stations, among rocks and thorny bushes. He appreciates including the protection of Agaves lechuguilla to develop the 1st year.
Common English Names: Goat's Horns Cactus. The Goat's Horn (capricorne) is named for the characteristic shape of its long, curled spines.
Synonyms: Astrophytum capricorne var. capricorne, Echinocactus capricornis
Description: Solitary globular or columnar cactus.
Stem: Although young plants are globular, they soon become ovoid, and eventually columnar up to
Roots:
Ribs: Usually 8.
Areoles: In vertical rows along each rib
Spines: 5 to 10 up to
Radial spines:
Central spine(s):
Roots:
Flowers: The flowers are diurnal typically open in the morning and close just before the sunset. Sweet smelling
The throat and the base of the petals are red
Bloom time: Blooms in summer.
Fruit: Reddish covered with flattened spines,
Seeds:
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.
Recommended Temperature Zone: USDA: 9-10
Frost Tolerance:
Heat Tolerance:
Minimum Avg. Temperature:
Watering Needs: Moderate water in summer.
Cultivation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is relatively easy to grow. Use mineral well permeable substratum (rot prone). Water sparingly from March till October and keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade but tolerates mild frost without a problem as do all the other common species of Astrophytum(hardy to
Propagation: They can be propagated easily from seed.
Notes: Camouflage: The fine spines of this species are an optical artifice supporting the grass-mimicry to the surroundings.
Astrophytum capricorne and its varieties are very variable in their habit even in small areas. Plants vary in the amount of flock on the surface, in the number, length, shape and color of the twisted spines, and in the size of the stems. And it is understandable that today we often have problems to decide to which population plants belong.
Notes: This is the first species of Astrophytum which was discovered.
It all started in 1827, when Thomas Coulter discovers an unknown plant in the state of
The genus Astrophytum created by Charles Lemaire in 1839 following the discovery of A. myriostigma.
But our Echinocactus ornatus, having changed names several times (E. holopterus, crooked, ghisbrechtii ...) not join the kind Astrophytum under its current name until the late 19th century, in 1896 under the initiative of Weber . Indeed, its silhouette different from other "cactus-star" has long been away from Astrophytum but Weber believes that the presence of flaking on the skin is also a major character in this genus.
Then in
Ornatum Astrophytum species is located furthest to the south, a hundred miles north of Mexico in the states of
In fact, its range extended along the watershed of the Rio Moctezuma and its tributaries. Seed dispersal being carried by ants attracted by nutrients.
It colonizes the steep slopes of the valleys and sunny but is absent plains where the soil is deep and fertile yet.
The annual rainfall is around
According to the canyons, there are populations that have evolved over time to different forms more or less columnar, flaking more or less developed, twisted shapes, spines more or less yellow and of varying lengths.Ornatum species remains fairly massive columnar taking a look older and whose adult size is often greater than 1m (up to
The locations have been quite difficult to access protected species. However, the construction of a hydro-electric dam in the 90s has greatly reduced the population present on the slopes of Rio Moctezuma (and beautiful Echinocactus grusonii).
In the area of Torre de Rio Blanca (at the boundary between the state of
There is another population near the Rio and Rio Amajaque Tula, with a more stocky with beautiful yellow spines, is the variety mirbelii. It seems that this is the only variety that is valid for the species ornatum. ( Information was taken from Astro-Web)
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Species:
1. Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem. – Sand Dollar Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, Star Peyote
2. Astrophytum capricorne (A.Dietr.) Britton & Rose – Goat's Horn Cactus
3. Astrophytum caput-medusae D.R.Hunt
4. Astrophytum coahuilense (Møller) K.Kayser
5. Astrophytum myriostigma Lem. – Bishop's Cap Cactus, Bishop's Hat, Bishop's Mitre Cactus
6. Astrophytum ornatum (DC.) Britton & Rose – Monk's Hood
Astrophytum is a very popular genus the star of the cacti. Astrophytum is a genus of six species of cacti. The Common names: Sand Dollar Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, Star Peyote, Bishop's Cap Cactus, Bishop's Hat, Bishop's Mitre Cactus, Monk's Hood
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Astrophytum myriostigma
Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Scientific name: Astrophytum myriostigma Lem.
Etymology: The name Astrophytum comes from the Greek word for star plant. These beautiful plants are globe shaped and are speckled with white scales and flecks. As it ages, the plant becomes columnar.
Origin: Astrophytum myriostigma is a species of cactus native to the highlands of northeastern and central Mexico.
Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.
Common English Names: Bishop's Cap Cactus, Bishop's Hat or Bishop's Miter Cactus)
Synonyms: Echinocactus myriostigma, Astrophytum prismaticum, A. columnare, A. coahuilense, A. tulense, and A. nuda.
Description: A. myriostigma (many dotted) is a spineless plant, usually solitary or with very few basal branches. A transverse section of the stem reveal a perfect star shaped form (like the common star-fish) giving the plant the appearance of a bishop's mitre (hence the common name Bishop's cap) A. myriostigma is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in cactus collections. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[1] A. myriostigma is a spineless cactus defined by the presence of three to seven (usually five) pronounced vertical ribs which define the cactus' shape when young (the genus name "astrophytum", literally, "star plant", is derived from the resulting star-like shape). As the cactus ages, more ribs may be added and it becomes more cylindrical in shape, growing up to about 70-
Stem: Globular to cylindric up to 60(-100) cm tall (but usually about
Roots: Fine, fibrous.
Ribs: Usually 5, sometimes 4(or 3) that increase to eight or more with age ( rarely even 10), vertical, regular, deep, prominent, very broad and acute.
Areoles: The areoles in the older plants are quite different from those of juvenile specimens. They are large, very woolly, often brownish/reddish (but variable in colour from white/ yellowish to tan/black) and showy.
Radial spines: Wanting.
Central spine(s): Wanting.
Flowers: Funnelform, 4-
Bloom time: Flowers appear intermittently throughout the warm months from April to September. Plants may take up to six years to flower.
Fruit: 2-
The fruit of A. myriostigma (above) is very hairy, dehisces apically and has a greenish inner colour, it is very different from the fruit of A. coahuilense (below) which is pinkish and opens basally.
Seeds: Dark brown, shining, with a large depressed hilum, the margins being turned in.
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun, its color tends to richer and darker when grown in light shade.
Recommended Temperature Zone: USDA: 9b-10
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to
Heat Tolerance:
Minimum Avg. Temperature:
Watering Needs: Moderate water in summer. Needs dry winter rest.
Cultivation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows very well on its own roots too. Use mineral well permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus). The Astrophytum myriostigma grows much faster with a low nitrogen content fertilizer in spring and summer. Water sparingly from March till October, the thin, fibrous roots suffer if there is humidity, therefore the plant should be watered only when the surrounding terrain is dry. Keep dry as soon as the temperature starts dropping in October and keep it perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is Hardy to
Propagation: Almost exclusively by seed. Plants are sometimes grafted onto column-shaped cacti. Cutting scions from a flourishing plant is almost a crime because the scions do not root easily
Astrophytum myriostigma cultivar ONZUKA from my collection
Notes: This quite variable plant has been widely grown for years and is now available in several cultivated variety and several breeds do exist. The famous “Onzuka” is only one of these and though maybe the most beautiful, but a lot of other forms are represented in many collections.
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Astrophytum ornatum
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Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Scientific name: Astrophytum ornatum (DC.) Weber
In: Britt & Rose, Cactaceae 3: 185. 1922
Origin: Astrophytum ornatum is the southern genus of Astrophytum. The habitats are at
Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.
Habitat: Grows in wild canyons and limestone cliffs sometime on near vertical rockfaces
Common English Names: Star cactus , also known as Monk's Hood, ornamented bishop's cap
Synonyms: Echinocactus ornatus De Candolle
In: Mém. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 17:114 1928; Echinocactus mirbelii Lemaire
In: Cact. Aliq. Nov. 22. 1838; Echinocactus holopterus Miquel
In: Linnaea 12:2. 1838; Echinocactus tortus Scheidweiler
In: Bull. Acac. Sci. Brux. 5:493. 1838; Echinofossulocactus mirbelii Lawrence in Loudon In: Gard. Mag. 17:318. 1841; Echinocctus ghiesbrechtii Salm-dick
In: Allg. Gartenz.18:395. 1850; Echinopsis haageana Linke
In: Wochenschr. Gartn. Chron. 1873:983. 1873; Echinocactus haageanus Rümpler In Förster In: Handb. Cact. ed. 2 469. 1885.; Echinocactus ornatus glabrescens Shumann In: Gesamtb. Kakteen 324. 1898A
The Astrophytum ornatum is the largest and easiest to grow and also the fastest of the Astrophytums. Spherical when young to columnar when mature, some specimen develop nice twists with age.
Ribs have characteristic cross bands of wooly scales.
Description: A. ornatum is a shortly columnar cactus appearing star-shaped from above, with white cross bands of wooly scales. It appears to be a very variable species especially for the density and distribution of white scales. It is the largest and easiest to grow and also the fastest of the Astrophytums. It is also generally more heavily spined than other Astrophytums.
Stem: he stem is solitary, globose when young , cylindric with age, 30 to
Ribs: It has
Areoles: 1 to
Radial spines: 5-11 stout, 2-
Central spine(s): usually 1 rather larger.
Flowers: At apex, large, lemon-yelllow 7-
Bloom time: The Astrophytum ornatum blooms in summer. The flowers (6-
Recommended Temperature Zone: USDA: 9b-10
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 20° F (
Minimum Avg. Temperature:
Heat Tolerance: Excellent in Phoenix in summer
Watering Needs: Moderate water in summer. Allow the soil to dry before watering again. Do not water in winter.
Cultivation: This cactus is pretty cold hardy and can survive to -10° C (if kept dry). It needs to be at least
This Astrophytum is the easiest to grow and also the fastest. It responds well to half strength fertilizer in summer. To make sure that the fertilizer doesn't encourage growth instead of blossom, it might be better to wait until the flower buds start forming before using fertilizer.
Propagation: They can be propagated easily from seeds.
Seed Collecting: Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds.
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Astrophytum coahuilense (H. Möller) Kayser Astrophytum coahuilense was dercribed from Dr. Heinrich MÖLLER at the year 1927 as Echinocactus myriostigma subspecies coahuilense.
Regrouping some times later from Dr. KAYSER to Astrophytum coahuilense.The habitus of the genus looks like Astrophytum myriostigma. But if we view the fruit, flowers and woolly flecks so the differences between the to genus become visible.
Origin: South-western Coahuila and Durante (Ciudad Lerdo, Sierra Baicuco, western Sierra Parras and southern of this line up to the Sierra of El Numero)
Description: Astrophytum coahuilense with five ribs, has a surprising similarity to A. myriostigma. However, it is different in all characteristics regarding flower, fruit, seed and embryo which looks like in all details to Astrophytum capricorne. The differences into flower, fruit, seed and embryo and flecks are constant and permit in any case to distinguish Astrophytum coahuilense without problems from A. myriostigma.
Astrophytum coahuilense. Photo from my collection
Nude plants as in the case of Astrophytum myriostigma are unknown.
It looks like the bishop's cap (A. myriostigma), but softer, more grey flecksthat cover the plant even more than with the myriostigma. The flowers are yellow with a characteristic red throat, although can appear pure red or very seldom pure yellow. In the fruit which is red till olive-green coloured and basal opening are up to 200 seeds, similar as in the case of Astrophytum capricorne. This plant is more related to the Asterias/capricorne group than the myriostigma.
A. coahuilense and A. myriostigma when cross are fruitless: they are (usually) sterile by each other.
Stem:. It is a green plant, boneless white dot, three to eight ribs pronounced. Is cylindrical, reaching a height of 70-100cm and a diameter of 10-20cm.
It is a globular cactus, with five ribs well marked and angular, his skin is dark green, but is completely covered with white scales giving a spongy appearance, allowing you to blend where it grows among limestone.
With age it becomes more cylindrical, reaching a height of 50cm and 10cm wide, although data have been reported 65cm in length and 20cm in diameter.
Flowers: Yellow with red throat, blooms in spring and summer. The flowers emerge from the apex of the plant, from
Bloom time:. blooms in spring and summer
Fruit:. ripe fruit at 26 days of leaving the apex pollinate the flower as Astrophytum Capricorne and expelling tens of seeds (up to 200).
Cultivation: is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. The plants need a loose well-drained mineral soil. They need a good amount of light. Watering can be done weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough, with a little fertilizer added. Kept this way, plants will show a healthy, although slow growth. They are frost hardy to -4° (-10°) C
Propagation: By seeds, remembering that seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions and need to be repotted frequently. Eventually, as they become mature, they attain a maximum size of 8-
Notes: At the habitat of Astrophytum coahuilense (Möll.) Kayser
To the most impressive country sides of the southern Coahuila in Mexico belongs next to the quicksand desert at Viesca the nearly endless, dry lagoon of Mayran. Driving the national highway 40 from Saltillo in the direction of Torreon, so the plain achieves her largest north-south extension approximately with roughlyIn the literary work of Josef Anton Purpus interesting details of the lonesome and often adventurous journeys of his brother Carl are written down. We know from these descriptions that that one was enthusiastic about the perfect mimicry of the thick white dotted plants. At their natural location they practically don't can be distinguished by lime stones and therefore they are well disguised for the eating enemies. In 1903 Carl Anton Purpus also travelled to the south lying
Heinrich Möller, an also well known Astrophytum specialist of the 20'th, stated later by informative intersection trials that the two Myriostigma-forms mutually cannot be fertilized. Since the Purpus find in addition is flowering with a red throat divergently of the Galeotti-Myriostigma, owns a seed-rich, basal opening fruit with green seedlings, he describes the plants in 1927 as Echinocactus myriostigma subsp. coahuilensis. The nephew of the famous Czech field researcher A.V. Fric, Konrad Kayser, combined the plants five years later to the stand-alone species of Astrophytum coahuilense. In the German linguistic area this taxonomic assessment has primarily gained acceptance largely by the distribution of Backeberg's nomenclature. Many authors however, predominant in England, the USA and Mexico still hold the opinion until now that Astrophytum coahuilense is merely a variety or really only a form of the "green" Galeotti-Myriostigmas.
Astrophytum coahuilense is actually very similar to the Astrophytum myriostigma in the outer disposition. It is also always five-ribbed in the youth and adds several ribs only in old age. Common for both species are humps between the ribs slid occasionally afterwards below the vegetation point. The "Coahuilenses" reach a considerable height up to