Astrophytum Lemaire (1839)

(greek astron = star, phyton = plant)
Starfish plant, because of the shape of the plant body
flat, spherical or columnar, with tiny, differently arranged,
white flakes for receiving and keeping of humidity
ribs 4–9, strong spines in A. ornatum, bristles at the capricorne-group,
otherwise spineless, yellow or yellow flowers with red throat; hat-shaped seeds, light or dark brown

Distribution

Growth period

Winter period

Substrat

Habitat

Mexico
Nuevo León - in the north of the state in 100–200 m (328–656 ft) altitude
exact details are to protecting the plant, not published

Description

plant singly or rarely several heads, with spindle
thickened, fleshy, up to ± 15 cm (5.9 in) long taproot
body greatly reduced, short cylindrical bristles with papery axil reception
tubercles (1–) 3–8 (–17) per body, up to 19 cm (7.5 in) long and 0,2–0,5 cm (0.1–0.2 in) Ø,
cylindrical or in youth phase, lightly 3-angular, of leathery-cartilaginous consistency,
slightly wrinkled with whitish points (= scale-like hairs)
aeoles in 2 separate parts, bearing spines on the terminally areole
mastoid tip, with white wool and 0–4 ± upright, light to dark, up to
0,3 cm (0.1 in) long spines, areole with bloom 1,8–4,6 cm (0.7–1.8 in) pointed away
from the tubecles on the top, with white wool, larger than areole with spines
flowers singly, in younger and not yet fully mature tubercles appearing,
funnel like, up to 5,3 cm (2 in) Ø and 4,7 cm (1.85 in) long,
bright yellow with orange-red base
fruit ovoid, up to 2 cm (0.8 in) long and 0,8 cm (0.3 in) Ø, young, green and fleshy,
covered with papery flakes and white wool, without flowers residue
dries up during the ripeness and irregular tearing open
seeds large, up to 0,3 cm (0.1 in) long and broad, black, glossy, hat-shaped,
testa finely wrinkled

Synonym

CITES