Astrophytum asterias

Astrophytum asterias

Astrophytum asterias is a species in the genus Astrophytum in the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet asterias means sea urchin ' and refers to the shape of the shoots. Trivial names are " sea-urchin cactus ", " Sand Dollar Catus ", " Sea Urchin Cactus" and "Star Cactus". The German Cactus Society and the Society of Austrian cactus friends and the Swiss Cactus Astrophytum asterias Society chose 2012 as the ' cactus of the Year ".

Description

Astrophytum asterias grows with gray-green, flattened globular bodies that carry numerous hair tuft and barely protrudes above the soil surface. You can reach heights of growth 2-5 centimeters and diameter of 6 to 10 inches. The usually 8 (rarely 6-10 ) very low ribs are flattened and separated by sharp furrows. The raised, round areoles have diameters of 5 to 10 millimeters. Spines are absent.

The yellow flowers have a red throat, are 2 to 4 inches long and can reach diameter 3-5 cm. The fruits do not open above their base.

Distribution, systematics and hazard

Astrophytum asterias is distributed in the United States in southern Texas and in the Mexican states of Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas.

The first description as Echinocactus asterias by Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini was published in 1845. Charles Lemaire she put 1868 in the genus Astrophytum.

Astrophytum asterias be listed in Annex I of the CITES Convention. In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN as " Vulnerable (VU) ," ie, endangered classified.

Evidence