This solitary columnar cactus has 8-straight or is slightly spiral ribs and is dark green and are covered in silvery dotted scales, arranged in bands. It has pungent yellow-brown spines and the diurnal pale yellow funnel-shape flowers appear in early summer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 11 

Astrophytum ornatum is naturally found in North America growing in Mexico (Queretaro, Hidalgo) in dry arid regions. It prefers an open slightly shaded to full sun position and grows in moderately fertile to poor, sharply drained gravely soils. 

Monk's Hood Is grown for its attractive body and flowers. It is planted in rockeries or arid gardens and in courtyard pots or tubs, and under glass in cold climates in collections. It is suitable for low mountain and inland regions establishing in 2-3 years and is moderately long lived. This easy to grow cactus is commonly used as a house plant when young, requiring bright indirect light. ID 2067

Astrophytum (ass-tro-FY-tum) ornatum (or-NAH-tum)

Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)