Astrophytum caput-medusae
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2017) |
| Astrophytum caput-medusae | |
|---|---|
| File:Astrophytum caput-medusae-IMG 0583.JPG | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Astrophytum |
| Species: | A. caput-medusae
|
| Binomial name | |
| Astrophytum caput-medusae | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Astrophytum caput-medusae (synonym Digitostigma caput-medusae) [1] is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Description
[edit | edit source]This species differs from the conventional star-shaped phenotype associated with other Astrophytum members. It has a very reduced, shortly cylindrical stem that lacks ribs. The stem collar and apex is covered in paper-like bristles that originates from the basal rest of tubercles. The bristles are coffee-colored with reddish tones. A taproot is formed. The tubercles are cylindrical (occasionally triangular when young), of cartilaginous consistency, smooth, growing up to 19 cm in length and 0.2-0.5 cm in width. Tubercles are glaucous-green in color, almost totally covered with greyish-white trichomes. It grows up to 4 spines of 0.1-0.3 cm in length that generally persists on old tubercles.
The flowers grow on the developing sections of the tubercles. It is yellow with an orange-colored base. Outer segments are greenish yellow, and covered with white hairs and spines. Fruits are green and fleshy, drying as it ripens. Seeds are cap-shaped, dark coffee or black, and measures up to 0.3 cm.[2][3]
Distribution and habitat
[edit | edit source]A. caput-medusae is native to Mexico, specifically the state of Nuevo León. The plant is reportedly found growing wild only at a single location.[1]
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]- Error creating thumbnail: File missing Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
Lua error in Module:Taxonbar at line 165: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
