Astrophytum is a genus of four North American cacti, all of which are found in Mexico. Known for their beauty, these are quite popular among domestic cacti for their flowering habit; their flowers are usually yellow or white.
Astrophytums grow solitary bodies, but some species will become short columnar later in life if properly maintained. Some also have distinctive white flecks on their bodies. Many of these cacti are prized: for example, A. asterias is extremely valued by the Japanese, especially the ‘Super Kabuto’ strain. However, they are extremely difficult to cultivate and are often grafted onto an echinopsis for best results; most gardeners would be better off sticking with A. ornatum or A. myriostigma, both of which are highly rated.