Astrophytum ornatum Seeds
Looks amazing in a pot!
Astrophytum is a genus of six species, native to the Chihuahuan desert and occurring in north and central Mexico and southern Texas in the USA. Of these six species five, namely Astrophytum asterias, Astrophytum capricorne, Astrophytum coahuilense, Astrophytum myriostigma and Astrophytum ornatum are globose to short cylindrical cacti while the fifth, Astrophytum caput-medusae is a sprawling octopus-like plant. The first five species mentioned were discovered between the years 1828 and 1845. Astrophytum asterias, Astrophytum coahuilense and Astrophytum myriostigma are spineless while Astrophytum capricorne and Astrophytum ornatum have prominent spines. All five feature a star-shaped appearance when viewed from above hence the genus name Astrophytum, which means star plant. Astrophytums have often been likened to marine life, in particular Astrophytum asterias for its striking similarity to sea urchins. The sixth member of this genus, Astrophytum caput-madusae, was newly discovered in 2001 and is quite distinct from the other members of the genus. It has long digit-like tubercles that grow something like an octopus and does not appear to be an Astrophytum till it flowers when all doubt is removed. Despite the noticeable differences, all 5 species including Astrophytum caput-madusae feature a sort of flocking of white trichomes (or bumps) on the epidermis. The four original Astrophytum members have been extremely popular in cultivation and numerous exotic hybrids have been created that emphasise various features such as amount of flocking, number of ribs, lack of spines, etc. These plants are adapted to the varying extremes of the desert, from high daytime temperatures to frosty nights, and they tolerate dry conditions very well, like other cacti. Gardeners should be careful to avoid over-watering their Astrophytum cacti in the garden. For succulent gardens, rockeries, and other water-wise gardens, Astrophytums can be an excellent choice. Outdoor gardening in containers and pots is also possible. They are summer growers requiring full to part sun. Provide them with lots of water in summer but only moderate water in spring and autumn, and little to no water in winter as they are prone to rot. They are frost tolerant to -10°C.
The evolutional oldest and most southern species is Astrophytum ornatum from the Mexican federal states Hidalgo, Queretaro, Guanajuato and the south of San Luis Potosi. The species name ornatum means adorned. Commonly known as bishop's cap it was the first species that was sent to Europe in the year 1828. When the botanist De Candolle unpacked the plant from the overseas box he thought that the unknown cactus was affected by fungus after the ship journey of some months, but to his astonishment he proved that the complete body was strewed with white spots of tuft hair. One knows today that these spots represent a characteristic of Astrophytum which only they have.
