Astrophytum ornatumMonk's Hood, Star Cactus, Ornamented Bishop's Cap
Endemic to the Central Plateau of Mexico.
Origin and Habitat: Astrophytum ornatum is the southern genus of Astrophytum. The habitats are at Hidalgo, Queretaro, San Luis Potosí and Guanajuato in Mexico(extent of occurrence less than 8500 km2). In San Luis Potosí there is a hybrid zone with other Astrophytum species.
Altitude: It grows at altitudes between 800 and 2000 metres above sea level.
Habitat: It is locally abundant yet patchily distributed in semidesert xerophile scrub. It grows mostly in wild canyons and limestone cliffs sometime on near vertical rockfaces, it can also grow on rocks in deciduous forests. Its distribution in canyons is due to the specific parameters of humidity and temperature that are necessary for its growth and reproduction. Habitat destruction due to trampling from livestock (goats), land-use changes, mining, and illegal collection are the predominant threats.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Cacti
Astrophytum ornatum is listed as Vulnerable due to its limited geographic distribution (extent of occurrence less than 8500 km2), its occurrence in less than 10 locations (defined as one location by land use change and mining threats), and ongoing subpopulation declines due to conversion of habitat, illegal collection, and the effects of grazing and mining.
(unranked): Core eudicots
Species: A. ornatum