Publication: Život v Přír. 29: 10. 1925
Description
Solitary globose or columnar cactus.
Stem: Although young plants are globular, they soon become ovoid, and eventually columnar up to 1.2 m tall, 10 (15) cm in diameter. The epidermis of is more or less covered with the typical white woolly flecks characteristic of the genus.
Ribs: Usually 8.
Areoles: In vertical rows along each rib and
Spines: 5 to 10 up to 7 cm long, Grey to brown wired, twisted, curved, flattened that look like the horn of a Capricorn. As plant ages spines get a bit more intense and messier, but relatively sparse, they are stiff but pliable and fragile, so, plant should be handled with care.
Flowers: Sweet smelling 7.5 cm wide, yellow with a red center.
Blooming season: Blooms in summer.
Fruit: Reddish covered with flattened spines, 2.5 cm in diameter.
Camouflage: The fine spines of this species are an optical artifice supporting the grass-mimicry to the surroundings.
Origin and Habitat
Northern Mexico (Coahuila) widespread in the
Chihuahuan Desert.
Cultivation and Propagation
Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is relatively easy to grow. Use mineral well permeable substratum (rot prone). Water sparingly from March till October and keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade but tolerates mild frost without a problem as do all the other common species of Astrophytum (hardy to -7°C for short periods). In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.
Propagation: They can be propagated easily from seed.
Notes
Astrophytum capricorne was described at the year 1851 from Dr. Albert DIETRICH as Echinocatus capricornis. In 1922 BRITTON and ROSE recombined this genus to Astrophytum.