Xerophyte

Seeds

Dark brown, helmet-shaped, shining, with a large depressed hilum, the margins being turned in.

Description

Astrophytum myriostigmaSN|1845]]SN|1845]] (a.k.a. Bishop's cap) is a spineless succulent 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 five pointed star.

Roots

Fine, fibrous.

Flowers

Funnelform, 4-7 cm long glossy yellow and sweet scented from the areole at the tip of the stem on mature plant.

Blooming Season

Flowers appear intermittently throughout the warm months from April to September.

Crested Growth

The crested form Astrophytum myriostigma f. cristatumSN|22193]]SN|22193]] is very rare and sought after by collectors, for its unique features. Though these crested myriostigma specimens are somewhat rare (about 1 in 100.000 seddlings), cresting occurs naturally, and can be encountered in many other cactus species. The cause of cresting is not fully explained and some speculate that it is a genetic mutation, but whatever the stimulus, the growth point of the stem has switched from a geometric point, to a line, which folds and undulates as the crest expands. There are several crested forms mainly selected by Asian growers, mainly propagated by grafting.

Spines

Wanting.

Ribs

Vertical, regular, deep, prominent and acute.

Stem

Fan shaped, bright green, covered with many minute white hairy scales that give it a characteristic chalk-white or silvery-grey appearance, but sometime naked (Astrophytum myriostigmaSN|1845]]SN|1845]] var. nudum f. cristatum). The scales are composed of very fine interwoven hairs, which, under a microscope, are very pretty object.

Fruits

2-2,5 cm in diameter, greenish to tannish-red, covered with brown, overlapping scales, with long wool in their axil.

Areoles

Closed together