Important accompanying flora of the genus
The vegetation in the semi-arid habitats of the genus Astrophytum is classified in Mexico as "matorral xerófilo". Depending on the dominant flora, this is referred then as "matorral de Agave lechuguilla", "matorral de Larrea tridentata" or "matorral de Hechtia podantha". The term "mezquitebrush" for thorny, deciduous woody formations in which acacia and prosopis-trees dominate, is used. The main accompanying plants which shape the landscape are presented here in brief.
Larrea tridentata (DC.) Coville (Synonym Hediondilla, Creosote) Zygophyllaceae
Larrea tridentata grows loosely scattered on stony, gravelly soils with shallow roots. The locals call them "la Gobernadora" regarding their wide distribution and often dominant landscape character. Depending on annual rainfall this unpretentious, down branching, evergreen bushes grow to a height of 0.5 to 3 meters. In very dry times Larrea tridentata throws off some of its typical two-part leaves, with the first rain, however, develops new ones.
Agave lechuguilla Torr. Agavaceae
The "Lechuguilla" develops numerous offshoots and is often ground covering in many habitats of Astrophytum. Like these it prefers limestone soils and avoids rock of volcanic origin. It has sickle-shaped and depending on the location green to olive-green, 20-35 cm long leaves, the underside with a line drawing. The inflorescence reaches a height of up to 4 meters. Because of their saponin content they are avoided by grazing animals (MASON, T. CH; MASON, B. P. 1987).
Hechtia podantha Mez., Hechtia glomerata Zucc. (Synonym zu H. ghiesbrechtii Lem. ?), Hechtia argentea Baker, Hechtia falcata Engelm. Bromeliaceae
Hechtias are ground-growing bromeliads and often offer Astrophytum protection against grazing animals. In particular for young specimens they serve as "nurse-plant". The fact that this community forces Astrophytum seedlings to increased growth into length, to get to the light, they are first club-shaped, columnar later. This characteristic has already been fixed genetically in Astrophytum populations south Tula, Tamaulipas. They are often found in mass populations of Agave lechuguilla, Hechtia or even in mixed populations.
Jatropha dioica (1) (2) Cervantes Euphorbiaceae
Jatropha dioica has short, round, unbranched, very flexible shoots up to about 1 meter. Because of the red color of its juice by oxidation from the air they are called in Mexico also "sangre de drago". The plants are dioecious, i.e. there are individuals with male flowers and others with female flowers, hence the epithet "dioica". Because of their rod-shaped, like random distributed shoots in the soil is this plant even in the winter without leaves unmistakable even without section of their tribe.
Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd. Mimosoideae
The numerous, fine, yellow flowers appear in spring before the leaves and spread a delicate fragrance. Therefore, it is not surprising that the bush or tree with 1-9 meters height growth is used for the extraction of essential oils and perfumes and was exported from Mexico to other countries. The locals call it "Huizache" and use the hardwood also for the production of furniture.
Fouquieria splendens Engelm. Fouquieriaceae
Fouquieria splendens is a native shrub with loose individual branches and a gray to gray-green bark. In the dry season it is leafless. After the first rain in spring, it developes new leaves, then one can admire its beautiful scarlet flowers, after which it received in Mexico probably its name "Ocotillo". The dangerous thorns are persistent midribs of the falling leaf blade. Shoot-cuts put into the ground root easily. Therefore it is also used for fences and fortified fences.
Yucca carnerosana (Trel.) McKelvey Agavaceae
Yucca carnerosana forms northeast of the capital San Luis Potosí miles wide, open woods. It usually grows unbranched, columnar to about 6 meter high. They are beautiful plants that are displayed often in the Mexican tourist industry on posters and promotional material.
Other thorn-bush vegetation
Prosopis is called in Mexico in general "Mezquite". They are very useful plants. Beside the edible leaves, pods, seeds and honey-producing flowers, the wood is used for construction and furniture. As firewood it is very productive, as the material for fences it is weather-resistant. Anyone looking for Astrophytum at such a terrain must move careful to avoid injury.
Euphorbia antisyphilitica Zucc. Euphorbiaceae
At the habitats of Astrophytum "Candelilla" grows mainly in Coahuila, where it is used for economic purposes. From the wax of the plants one produces candle, shoe polishes, lubricants, water-repellent coatings and insulating materials for electrical engineering. In the 19th Century, people thought probably it would help against syphilis, so that in the first description by Zuccarini the plant received this epithet.
literature:
BRAVO-HOLLIS, H.;
CASTELLA, M. T. (1959);
GLASS, C.; FOSTER, R. (1970, 1970 b, 1971, 1971 b, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1984 b, 1985);
HERNANDEZ BARRERA, J. T. (1997, 1998);
JACOBSEN, H. (1981);
MASON, T. CH.; MASON, B. P. (1987);
MARTINEZ AVALOS, J. G.; JIMENEZ PEREZ, L. J. (1993);
MEDINA COTA, M. (1981);
MEYRAN, J. (1991);
MOELLER-VILLAR, G. (1993);
PINA, I. (1980);
RAUH, W. (1979);
RZEDOWSKI, J. (1986);
SANCHEZ MEJORADA, H. (1964 b, 1991);
WEHBE, J. A.; ELIZONDO, J. L. (1986).
genus Astrophytum
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