Xerophyte

Description

A. capricorne v. niveum is bigger than var. senilis and var. aureum, and its dimension are similar to the standard species.

Note

A. capricorne v. niveum form nudum (SynRecently (1985-1986) a curious A. niveum without the typical white flecks covering was fuond at about 10 kilometers on the west of Cuatro Cinegas. This ‘nudumum’m’ form grows in association with normal white flecked specimens. This plant caused many confusions among botanists and collectors because it has been also indicated with a different name Astrophytum capricorneSN|3564]]SN|3564]] var. crassispinum. Astrophytum capricorneSN|3564]]SN|3564]] and its varieties are very variable in their habit even in small areas. And it is understandable that today we often have problems to decide to which population plants belong

Flowers

Medium sized, 7 cm (max. 9 cm) yellow with a red or orange throat.

Spines

6-8 per areole, striking strong of variable size (max. 7-9 cm long) flat, bent upward and not very wavy. Brownish-blackish that turn grey-chalky as they age. Nice yellow and white spined forms are also common in cultivation.

Stem

Robust, at first globular then cylindrical up to 50 cm tall, diameter up to 20 cm (this size correspond in habitat to a 50 years old plant). The epidermis is densely covered with white flecks that give the plant a furry look. The hairy scales are pure white also in the new growth, while in the type species the new flecks are initially brownish and turn into white only lately.