Astrophytum myriostigma 'Onzuka'

Nothing like going from one side of the cactus spectrum to the other; if we were just casual observers it would be hard to believe that this Astrophytum and the previously posted Epi were both from the same family of plants. The very formal geometric patterns of the Astrophytum are a total contrast to the graceful lines of the Epi, but each is beautiful in its own way.

 

This particular example is four sided - quadricostatum - and they are often marketed as a variety in themselves. But many of them will add another rib or two with time and it's clear that this is not a stable reality of the species. But they do sometimes stay four-sided as they grow older, making them very distinctive. The 'Onzuka' is a cultivar which emphasizes the dots and sometimes very distinctive patterns of dots.