Astrophytum capricorne var. aureum
Synonyms:
Astrophytum senilis var. aureum
Astrophytum aureum
Astrophytum aureum
Astrophytum capricorne aurea
Astrophytum capricorne aureum
Astrophytum capricorne f. aureum
Astrophytum capricorne v. aurea
Astrophytum capricorne v. aureum
Astrophytum capricorne v. aureus
Astrophytum capricorne v. luteum
Astrophytum senile f. flavispina
Astrophytum senile v. aureispinum
Astrophytum senile v. aureum
Echinocactus capricornis v. aureum
Echinocactus capricornis v. aureus
Echinocactus capricornus v. aurea
Echinocactus capricornus v. aureus
Description:
This cactus presents a short, globular or cylindrical stem, up to 40 cm tall; it has a green- bluish epidermis, sometimes purple-tinged, sharp ribs, and it is characterised by the absence of the white flock typical of this species. Each areole grows up to 20 twisted, flexibe spines: these form spirals covering almost completely the stem; their colour goes from golden yellow to greyish in older plants. It blooms diurnal yellow flowers with red throats.
Cultivation:
This Astrophytum is a relatively easy-to-grow species. To avoid root rot, use a mineral, well-drained soil. Water sparingly from March till October, letting the soil getting dry before watering again. To avoid root rot, keep it dry from the beginning of autumn to the end of winter. It is theorically hardy to -7°C, but during cold months keep it in a cool place. It does well from full sun to light shade.
Propagation:
Propagation can easily be done by seeds.
Curiosity:
The dense nest-convering of spines makes look A. aureum like a beautiful dry grass bundle.