Xerophyte

Description

Astrophytum asterias cv. Kikko Lizard SkinSN|26213]]SN|26213]] (a.k.a. Kikko new China form) is a odd looking form with broad raised tubercles with a Lizard Skin and the plant appears decorated with a geometrical design which is raised above the surface, giving it a bumpy look.

Tubercles

1-4 cm broad, bag like, well separated, basally constricted, enlarging toward the very broad truncate or depressed apex. Apical face broadly elliptical and irregular. Skin wrinkled, lizard-like, green to dull olive-green often scattered with wart-like projections. Especially the nude form resemble some chinned cacti particularly Ariocarpus retususSN|2079]]SN|2079]] cv. Cauliflower. Usually the young seedlings appear nothing special and barely shows any trace of bag-like tubercles, but they start to produce the distinguishing tubecles and turn into an amazing adult as they get 3 to 7 years old. In general the bigger the "bag-like teeth" are and the rounder and flatter they are, the better.

Flowers

Like those of the well known asterias yellow with a red throat.

Blooming Season

Spring to summer.

Spines

None.

Ribs

Not visible.

Stem

Spherical flattened usually non-branched. Diameter 3(8)16 cm. Height 2 to 6 cm.

Areoles

Cream-coloured till white, woolly, at the apex of tubercles, often sunken, very elongate 2-6 x 5-20 mm broader than longer. The areoles are normally set in a separation up to 1-3 cm.