Astrophytum myriostigma

Astrophytum myriostigma or Bishop's Mitre is a small solitary, spineless cactus which is initially globular and forms a very graphic star-shaped silhouette,  with a green epidermis with white-grey flecks.  It actually has a single stem with about 5 to 9 very wide and thick ribs, regularly arranged in the shape of a bishop's mitre. After 10 years, its stem eventually rises to a maximum height of 50 cm (20in). After 6 years of age, it also produces beautiful summer flowers, composed of large pale yellow waxy blooms that open in groups at the top of its stem.  It is a frost-sensitive plant that thrives in drought conditions, full sun, and heat, found only in Mediterranean rock gardens but it can also be easily grown in pots that are stored indoors at the first signs of autumn frost.

Astrophytum myriostigma belongs to the Cactaceae family. It is widely distributed in the centre of the Chihuahua desert in central-northern Mexico and on the high plateaus up to 2,500 m (8ft) altitude. It is a persistent perennial without spines, and its thick and fleshy above-ground part allows it to withstand extreme droughts. In its native habitat, it can reach a height of 1 m (3ft) with a width of 20 cm (8in).

Astrophytum myriostigma has a rather slow growth and will only reach a maximum width of 15 cm (6in) and a height of 50 cm (20in) in our regions. It forms a solitary stem surrounded by 5 to 9 very pronounced and spineless ribs, giving it a wide and bulbous habit resembling a bishop's mitre. After a decade, its habit will become columnar. Its epidermis is flecked in white-grey and is slightly felted, giving it a dusted appearance. Flowering takes place in summer, from June to September. It takes the form of pale yellow waxy flowers, 4 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, symmetrical and with numerous petals like wild daisies. They appear in groups at the apex of the cactus.

Plant Astrophytum myriostigma in a rock garden or on a well-drained slope if your garden is located by the sea, where frost does not exceed -4°C (24.8°F), along with the Cape Aster, Felicia amelloides, Delosperma, and Portulaca that appreciate the same conditions. Elsewhere, you can plant it in a nice pot, alone or in combination with other succulent plants such as houseleeks, for example.