Xerophyte

Description

This is an unusual variety, with red blooms, which is very uncharacteristic of this genus and a rarity in collections. This selected cultivars bears beautiful flowers shaded in dark pinkish-red, orange-red, purple or wine-red with usually even darker flower edges. However a very few red flowered specimens will appear time by time among normal yellow flowered plants, and are very rare. They are sought after collector and are sold (when available) for very high ciphers for that reason. Their traditional source, of course, is Japan but they are also found in European collections too. And also - like for the normal Astrophytum - their flower colour tends to increase a darker tone ageing.

Distribution

Usually loose, sprinkled over the stem in irregular patterns, sometimes arched around the areoles or on line.

Flowers

At the apex from the vegetation point, up to 75 mm in diameter. This cultivar has unusual pink-red or orange-red blooms. But it is normal that flower colour tends in all Astrophytums to increase a red blush ageing.

Spines

Not any.

Ribs

Generally it has eight flat ribs, rare few or more.

Stem

Non-branched, flat, dark green. Diameter 3(8)16 cm. Height 2 to 6 cm. Just flat to the ground surface.

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 10 mm, but can be very close one to each other at cultivated plants.