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Astrophytum caput-medusae | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Cactaceae |
Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
Genus: | Astrophytum |
Species: | A. caput-medusae
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Binomial name | |
Astrophytum caput-medusae D.R.Hunt
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Synonyms | |
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Astrophytum caput-medusae (synonym Digitostigma caput-medusae) [1] is a species of cactus native to Mexico, specifically the state of Nuevo León; the plant is reported to grow wild only at a single location.[1] This species differs from the conventional star-shaped phenotype associated with other Astrophytum members.[2] The plant is characterized by a cylindrical, reduced stem with triangular or cylindrical tubercles producing yellow flowers with orange perianth sections.[3] Propagation by seed, tissue culture or via grafting have all been reported.[2] The species is considered critically endangered by the IUCN due to the plant's limited growth range, destruction by livestock and over collection of wild specimen by plant collectors [1]