What plant is Astrophytum myriostigma? An introduction to the cactus family plant Astrophytum myriostigma

Morphological characteristics of Astrophytum myriostigma

Genus Astrophytum. The plant is spherical, and old plants become slender and cylindrical. The body is 10-20 cm in diameter, with 3-9 distinct ribs, mostly 5 ribs. The areoles on the ribs have no spines, but have brown woolly hairs. The body is grayish-white and densely covered with white star-shaped hairs or small scales. Flowers are borne on the areoles at the top of the body, funnel-shaped, yellow or with a red center. The three-ribbed "Triangular Astrophytum myriostigma" is relatively rare and precious, and the four-ribbed "Four-angled Astrophytum myriostigma", also called Sifangyu, has four broad ribs evenly and symmetrically arranged, and is also very interesting.

The plant is solitary, initially round and spherical, later growing into a cylindrical shape, 16-18 cm in diameter.

Up to 50-60 cm tall, with 5 relatively high ridges, the body is in a symmetrical five-pointed star shape, and large plants can increase to 6-8 ribs. The grayish blue-green body is densely covered with fine small white star dots. From spring to summer it bears terminal funnel-shaped orange-yellow flowers, 4-5 cm in flower diameter.

Growing environment of Astrophytum myriostigma

Native to Mexico. It likes a cool, sunny environment, and also needs sufficient light in summer. It requires well-drained, sandy soil rich in lime.

Variety classification of Astrophytum myriostigma

Astrophytum myriostigma is a famous representative species of the cactus family genus Astrophytum, native to Texas in the United States. Astrophytum myriostigma can undergo certain intergeneric hybridization, and the original species has many variant types. Some countries have done a great deal of work in breeding these two varieties, such as the "Super Dou, Yamamoto Dou, Turtle Shell Dou, Garden Dou" and "Onzuka Astrophytum myriostigma, Red-leaf Astrophytum myriostigma" selected and bred in Japan, and the "Dou Jin, Bifangyu" selected and bred in China.

Main value of Astrophytum myriostigma

It can be seen that its horticultural value is relatively high, and its ornamental value is equally high. It is a treasure that botanical gardens and succulent plant enthusiasts are keen to collect. Because the propagation rate of this type of plant is very low and its variability is relatively large, preserving various horticultural varieties is very difficult. Using tissue culture methods may be an effective way to solve the propagation and germplasm preservation of various horticultural varieties of Astrophytum and Astrophytum myriostigma, and it also has the significance of protecting endangered plants. There have been no reports of successful tissue culture of this plant in China or abroad.