Scientific Name
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus (Lem.) K.Schum.
Synonym(s)
Anhalonium kotschoubeyanum, Anhalonium kotschubeyanum, Roseocactus kotschoubeyanus, Stromatocactus kotschoubeyi
Common Name(s)
Star Rock, Living Rock
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Ariocarpus
Etymology
The specific epithet "kotschoubeyanus" (pronounced "kot-shoo-bee-AY-nus") honors Prince Kotschoubey, a Russian prince and patron of horticulture.
Description
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus is a small geophytic cactus with a flat-topped, dark olive green stem covered with deltoid tubercles, each with an off-white stripe of hair down the middle. The stem slowly grows, reaching a diameter of 3 inches (7.5 cm), and is usually solitary, or rarely, if ever, produces a few offsets to form a small clump.
The flowers are nearly white, shell pink, or bright magenta, emerging from a woolly crown in the fall. They can measure up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length and 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. The fruits are white or green and contain numerous tiny, black seeds.
Origin
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus is native to northeastern Mexico. It occurs in and around the edges of the Chihuahuan Desert, from Coahuila through Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí, to Querétaro.
How to Grow and Care for Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20°F (-6.7°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Plant your Ariocarpus in soil specially formulated for cacti. You can buy a cactus mix at your local nursery. Do not use generic soil mixes, as they will not provide sufficient aeration and drainage. Additionally, using a container without a hole, whether a pot or a terrarium, is a bad idea for the same reason.
Ariocarpus plants need a lot of sunlight. However, in hot, dry areas, they can be damaged by excessive sunlight. To protect them, use a shade cloth to limit their sun exposure or move them out during the hottest hours of the day. In more temperate areas, direct sunlight is fine.
These cacti prefer to be kept at room temperature or slightly lower and in low humidity.
Water your Ariocarpus only when the soil has completely dried out. The time this takes will vary depending on your climate and whether you use a pot.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Ariocarpus.
Links
- Back to genus Ariocarpus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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