Squared Circle Star Cactus – The Astrophytum asterias is considered "Endangered," and is on the World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Plants. It is native from South Texas to North Mexico. They have become endangered in the wild due to over-collection, herbicides, and urban development. This Star Cactus was seen at the National Botanic Garden in Washington DC.
Photographer: Vicki’s Pics
Information on Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias)
The star cactus is also known as the Sand Dollar Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, and Star Peyote Cactus.
Usually, the star cactus is a tiny, boneless type of cactus that generally looks like a sand dollar. The dome shaped globular body of the star cactus is around 2-6 inches in breadth and around 1-2 inches in length. The color of a typical star cactus is brown or light green, along with certain dotted spots because of a layering of small white scales on it. The plant is usually separated into eight triangular portions, in which each core line of the separated portions of globular serrations is occupied with certain whitish woolly tresses.
The blooms of star cactus are somewhat yellowish with certain amount of permutations that include orange mid-linings. The size of the blossoms are around 2-3 inches in diameter. The fruit produced by this cactus is an elliptical shaped, plump berry of about a half inch round. The fruit that may be of grayish-red, green, or pink color which is covered with thick hazy tresses.
Life History and Habitation:
The environmental scientific data of the star cactus is not complete in covering this plant’s history. But it has been observed that a typical wild star cactus buds from March through May with the fruit ripening in months from April through June.
It is also believed that the star cactus is pollinated by specific bugs, but the precise insect or insects have yet to be discovered.
Further observation of the star cactus in the wild suggests that this cactus needs foster plants for proper nurturing. The most favorable nurturing places for star cactus includes semi-secured areas beneath the brush. The flourishing sprouts of a star cactus are likely to found near proximity to rocks, other cacti, shrubs, or trees. Though, the occurrence of a star cactus is sometimes observed in open spaces. And there appears to be some, but meager growth of star cactus in certain rough, brackish soils or mud at low altitudes, usually in the plains of the Rio Grande.
Overview:
Traditionally, the known habitat of star cactus is the region formed by Hidalgo and Starr Counties in Southern Texas; and Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states in Mexico.
This unique genus of the cactus family is limited in the wild to these areas and has become endangered. But star cactus can be nurtured from the seed, if planted in the appropriate soil format.
If you would like to learn more about Indoor Plants and receive a FREE Newsletter on the subject visit the authors site http://www.indoorplantsadvice.com —- Article from articlesbase.com
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