Xerophyte

Habit

It is usually solitary unless damaged.

Description

Astrophytum asteriasSN|26116]]SN|1464]] var. nudum (a.k.a. cv. Ruri Kabuto) has a very characteristic glabrous stem lacking the white tufts of loose hairy scales typical of the common Astrophytum asteriasSN|1464]]SN|1464]].

Flowers

Apical, diurnal, radial, 3-5 cm long, 5-7(-9) cm in diameter opening widely, yellow with orange/red throats.

Blooming Season

Spring to summer and each flower lasts for one or two days only.

Crested Growth

The crested form (Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. cristataSN|1464]]SN|26116]]) - despite to its beauty - is very rare and sought after by collectors, for its unique features remembering of Lophophora williamsiiSN|1117]]SN|1117]] var. cristata. It is a small low growing crested cactus that will slowly forms tangled groups up to 30 cm (or more ) in diameter with age. The plant tends to grow seated in substrate, but in cultivation it is almost always seen grafted on columnar cacti. There are several crested clones mainly selected by Asian growers.

Spines

Not any.

Ribs

The stem is typically divided by very narrow but distinct vertical grooves into 8 broad ribs. The ribs are very low, almost flat on top, forming triangular sections with no cross-grooves.

Stem

Green, grey-green to dark olive green, much depressed, fan-shaped mature plants 2-7 cm tall, 5-16 cm broad, smooth completely flake free (without the minuscule tufts of bright white hairy scales).

Areoles

Round, prominent, 3-12 mm in diameters, forming a line up to the centre of each rib, felted to hairy, white till straw-coloured, then grey. Normally 3 to 10 mm apart.