Description
Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Kikko is a famous Japaese cultivar unmistakable for its pointed tubercles along the ribs edges, in fact its areoles stick out with large notches between them, giving them a saw tooth look.
Round form: The round type, a.k.a. Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Kikko Ball has usually 5 ribs that are very fat and rounded (not acute) and the tubercles are not pointed too, but truncate or doughnut shaped with the apical areole more or less deeply sunken in the centre. It resembles some chinned cacti particularly some Gymocalyciums. The furrows which appear transversely on the ribs cuts the continuity of the ribs and the plants appears decorated with a geometrical design which is raised above the surface. Usually the young seedlings appears nothing special and looks like normal myriostigma, and barely shows any trace of prominent tubercles, but they start to produce the distinguishing indentation and turn into an amazing adult as they get 3-4 years old. In general the bigger the “teeth” are and the rounder and flatter they are, the better.
Stem: Pentagonal to almost spherical, dimension up to 20 (or more) cm tall, 5-15 cm in diameter.
Spines: None.
Ribs: Usually 5.
Flowers: Like those of the well known A. myriostigma, pale-yellow, shining-silk.
Blooming season: Spring to summer.