Goat's Horns Cactus

Astrophytum capricorne

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Goat's Horns Cactus, Star Cactus

Hardy to to 20° F (-6°C)

Light shade

Mexico (Coahuila)

Solitary columnar cactus, up to 4 feet tall (1.2 m), 4 inches in diameter (10 cm)

Moderate water in summer.

Seed

The Astrophytum capricorne blooms in summer. The 3 inch wide flowers (7.5 cm) are yellow with a red center

This Cactus is characterised by 8 to 9 sharp prominent ribs, and large, tufted areoles. The epidermis is covered in tiny white scales. The top part of plant is covered in a brownish down, and each areole has up to ten irregular spines, which may drop off as the Cactus ages. Habitat is from Nuevo Leon, Mexico to New Mexico.

Needs full sun and a winter rest period with reduced watering. There are a number of different varieties, among them: crassiperum, niveum and minus. This species must be kept from freezing.

Reported to contain unspecified alkaloids.

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