Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually 1 rather larger.

Description

Astrophytum ornatumSN|3660]] is a shortly columnar cactus appearing star-shaped from above, often with white cross bands of woolly scales. It appears to be a very variable species especially for the density and distribution of white scales. It is the largest and easiest to grow and also the fastest of the astrophytums. It is also generally more heavily spined than other astrophytums.Astrophytum ornatumSN|3660]] distinguishes for its stout almost naked dark green stem without (or with very few) white hair-tufts, on the contrary the white hair-tufts in typical plants are in broad bands, seeming to be hanging from opposing areoles and take a long time in the transition to the adult form. Up to date many botanists don’t recognize the variety rank to this taxon which does not differ conspicuously from the other forms of the species.

Note

It needs to be at least 15 cm tall to bloom. This might take no less than seven years or more depending on the length of the growing period in the local climatic conditions.

Flowers

At apex, large, lemon-yelllow 7-12 cm broad, inner perianth segments broadly oblong, with a broad, more or less serrated apex, tube short woolly, scale on ovary, dark and very narrow.

Ribs

It has 5 to 8 (generally 8) straight or frequently spiraling, strongly compressed, more or less sinuate, crenate ribs.

Stem

The stem is solitary, globose when young, cylindric with age, up to 1,2 m or more high, 15-30 cm across, dark green without (or with very few) wooly flakes.

Radial Spines

5-10 stout, 2-4 cm long straight acicular or somewhat laterally compressed, amber yellow, later brown and finally grey.

Areoles

Rounded at first yellowish-white felted, later grabrescent.