Astrophytum myriostigma near Villar, San Luis Potosí

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Backeberg has desribed Astrophytum myriostigma v. strongylogonum and Astrophytum myriostigma v. strongylogonum subv. nudum (Meyer) Back. on the basis of individual plants from the region of SLP Villar which do not correspond to natural populations with uniform characteristics in nature. If the "Rotunda" forms are pollinated, the offspring have predominantly normal forms. The taxon is therefore not justified from a modern view. About none of cactus species has been put so much emphasis placed on the number of ribs as in Astrophytum. Therefore this has led to a variety of names. But to use the shape of the ribs for a first description, is only found in Backeberg. Regardless of this, his nomenclature has been used frequently in the German subsequent literature, expanding synonymy. His figure nr. 2534 on page 2662 for the nude subvariety is also chosen unhappy, because it shows a relatively sharp-ribbed plant. Round- and sharp-ribbed Astrophytum myriostigma grow together in almost all habitats in San Luis Potosi, and especially in the Jaumave valley.

photos:

Astrophytum myriostigma
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