Basis of the account

Astrophytum is my favourite cactus genus. Its variation offers many reasons for close observation. Similar plant outlines can conceal different relationships, while fine details of flowers,…

Astrophytum capricorne

Long, flexible, twisted spines. Variable spination, flowers with coloured centres and seeds that float.

An older name associated with long, curved, yellow or golden spines. In the archived comparison, plants had few body hairs and flowers with orange or red centres. POWO treats the…

A historical name for plants with strong, thick spines. The archived comparison also linked it to flowers without a distinctly red throat. CactusDNA describes heavily spined plants from…

In the archived description, a smaller form with thin, flexible spines often concealing the apex. Body hairs are relatively few. Corresponding older names with minus are synonyms of A.…

A historical name associated with a very dense covering of pale body hairs. Older descriptions differ over spine thickness and flexibility. The atlas preserves this discrepancy in editorial…

Also formerly raised to species rank as Astrophytum senile. The archive describes very long, flexible, dark spines and a sparsely hairy body. Flowers usually have a coloured centre. It is…