Astrophytum ornatum (Star Cactus )
Michael's Opinion
Astrophytum ornatum or Star Cactus is commonly cultivated as an ornamental. It grows in the wild in a diverse community of other plants. It's name comes from the Greek word aster which means star and phyton, meaning plant.
Botanical Information
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Genus | Astrophytum |
| Species | ornatum |
| Category | Perennials, Tropicals |
| Origin | Central-eastern Mexico. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10b |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cool season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 1 - 5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 33.8 - 41 |
| Height | 2 - 3 m |
| Spread | 20 - 30 cm |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | June, July, August, September |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Upright, almost columnar and cylindrical in form. |
| Landscape | Beds and borders, mass container plantings, informal rock gardens, as a potted indoor or patio plant or as a specimen. |
| Propagation | Division of clumps. |
| Cultivation | Easy to grow in well draining, sandy, gravelly or loamy soil in full sun to partial shade. |
| Pests | Resistant to root rot. |
| Notable Specimens | The Devonian Botanic Garden, Devon, Alberta, Canada. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Open and dry central plains, often solitary. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Solitary growth extruded into a star-shaped cylinder. |
| Flower Description | The flowers are 7 - 10 cm long, often forming clusters of several blooms. |
| Colour Description | Pale yellow blooms, sage green to pale green succulent flesh. |
| Texture Description | Smooth, spiny. |
Photographs
Astrophytum ornatum, Form
Astrophytum ornatum, Leaf
Astrophytum ornatum, Summer
Awards
