Scientific Name
Astrophytum coahuilense (H.Moeller) K.Kayser
Common Name(s)
Bishop's Cap, Bishop's Miter, Bishop's Hat, Miter Cactus, Monk's Hood
Synonym(s)
Astrophytum myriostigma subsp. coahuilense, Astrophytum myriostigma var. coahuilense, Echinocactus myriostigma subsp. coahuilensis
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Astrophytum
Description
Astrophytum coahuilense is an attractive, slow-growing cactus similar to Astrophytum myriostigma. However, they have different flowers, fruits, and seeds. This species has more densely woolly patches, making it more velvety than Astrophytum myriostigma.
The flowers are yellow with a red throat and appear from the areoles at the tip of the stem in spring. The fruits are pinkish and contain up to 200 dark brown seeds.
Origin
Astrophytum coahuilense is native to Mexico. It grows in sunny, south- and east-facing limestone slopes in Coahuila and Durango at elevations that range between 3,610 and 5,250 feet (1,100 and 1,600 m).
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Astrophytums are not vigorous plants, requiring a lot of patience to reach their full potential. Keep regularly watering and feeding them during the growing season and repot annually to give them space to develop. They need a temperate, dry winter, and make sure not to overwater them to avoid rotting their roots. They will develop marvelous flowers if given sufficient care once they reach maturity. Watch out for common cactus pests like aphids and scale, as well. These can often be taken care of by a good eco-friendly pesticide or wiped away with a cloth.
Repot regularly to help them develop. Astrophytums should be repotted at the beginning of the growing season for best results, allowing them to grow into the impressive specimens for which the genus is known. Protect your hands before repotting due to their stiff spikes, lift the plant out all at once, and then replace it in a larger pot and backfill with soil.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Astrophytum.
Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Astrophytum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
