Growth Habits: Solitary globose or columnar cactus, 4 inches in diameter (10 cm); 7 or 8 ribs; 5 to 10 spines, up to 2.8 inches long (7 cm)
Scientific name; Astrophytum capricorne v. senile
Common names: Goat's Horns Cactus.
Synonym: Echinocactus capricornis, Astrophytum senile, Astrophytum capricorne var. senilis, Echinocactus capricorne senilis,Echinocactus capricornus v. senilis.
Etymology: The generic name "Astrophytum" derives from the Greek words astron, meaning a "star" and "phyton", meaning plant.
capricorne From the Latin words capra, meaning billy goat and cornu, meaning horn or trumpet.
Origin: near Villareal, Coahuila Mexico.
Light: Full sun to light shade.
Compost. A free draining mineral soil.
Water: Regular water in spring to autumn, allow the soil to dry between waterings,and keep perfectly dry in winter.
Flower: pale yellow with a vivid red centre.
Min temp: Hardy to -7°C for short periods.
Cultivation: Easy to grow and if looked after well will flower several times during the summer.
Habitat. The substratum in which the plants grow is sandy loamy with very little humus
Comments: in a genus that has been highly hybridised mother nature is competing with the best of them, the spines have become that shape over time to imitate tufts of grass which they grow alongside.