Living Rock, Seven Stars (Ariocarpus retusus)

Living Rock, Seven Stars
Scientific Name: Ariocarpus retusus Scheidweiler
Synonym: Anhalonium prismaticum, Anhalonium elongatum, Ariocarpus elongatus, Anhalonium areolosum, Anhalonium pulvilligerum, Ariocarpus pulvilligeris, Mammillaria prismatica, Anhalonium trigonum, Ariocarpus confusus
Family: Cactaceae
Listed in CITES Appendix 1

Show Larger Picture Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 11,13
USDA: 9b-11

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 27°F (-3°C)
Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C)
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun
Origin: Mexico (San Luis Potosi, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon)
Growth Habits: Solitary, slow growing up to 10 inches in diameter (25 cm), tubercles up to 0.8 inch long (2 cm) with flat surface; tap root
Watering Needs: Very little water
Propagation: Seeds, occasionally grafted

Ariocarpus retusus is the largest of the genus, it is also one of the easier and faster to grow. It might still take 8 years to go from seeds to flowering size. It take one year or more just to show the typical rosette shape.

Living Rock, Seven Stars (Ariocarpus retusus)

Blooming Habits:
2 inches in diameter diurnal white flowers (5 cm), with pink stripe at the axis of the petals.

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