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Astrophytum asterias
Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem.
Star Cactus, Sand Dollar Cactus, Sea Urchin Cactus, Star Peyote
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s): Echinocactus asterias
USDA Symbol: ASAS6
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Plants usually solitary, hemispheric, dark green, speckled with tiny white hair tufts and larger white or grayish areoles.
This species superficially resembles Peyote, Lophophora williamsii, another cactus taxon.
Star Cactus is a federally-listed Endangered species.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: Plant depressed-spheric in shape, to about 2-1/2" tall and 6" in diameter.
Fruit: Berrylike.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Orange , YellowBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Flower tepals are ochreous, usually red or orange proximally.
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: TX & n. MX. Only known extant US population is in Starr County, TX.
Native Habitat: Rocky ground in Tamaulipan Thornscrub vegetation areas.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Threatened & Endangered Status
USFWS Species Profile: Q07VStatus:Additional resources
USDA: Find Astrophytum asterias in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Astrophytum asterias in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Astrophytum asterias
Metadata
Record Modified: 2018-06-12Research By: Joseph A. Marcus