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
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)

Ariocarpus retusus at Holly Gate (Photo Terry Hewitt)

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

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