Bishop's cap facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bishop's cap |
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Astrophytum
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ornatum
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The bishop's cap cactus or monk's hood cactus (scientific name: Astrophytum ornatum) is a cool flowering plant. It's a type of cactus that grows naturally only in the Central Plateau region of Mexico. This means it is endemic to that area, found nowhere else in the wild! It's also the biggest and tallest species in its group, the Astrophytum cacti.
What is the Bishop's Cap Cactus?
This cactus usually grows by itself and has a tall, round shape, like a cylinder. In its natural home, it can reach up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) tall and 30 centimeters (about 1 foot) wide. To protect itself from the strong sun, it has many white, fluffy spots that look like wool.
During the summer, the bishop's cap cactus blooms with beautiful canary yellow flowers. These flowers are quite large, about 7 to 8 centimeters (around 3 inches) long.
How to Grow a Monk's Hood Cactus
The monk's hood cactus is a tough plant that's pretty easy to grow. It doesn't easily get "root rot," which is a problem where roots get too wet and die. It likes soil that drains water well, so its roots don't sit in puddles.
If you grow it in a place with some shade or filtered light (not direct, harsh sun), its skin will stay a nice dark green. Once it's grown big and strong, it can handle cold temperatures down to about -4 degrees Celsius (25 degrees Fahrenheit).
Because it's such a great plant for gardens, the Astrophytum ornatum has even won a special prize called the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.
Images for kids
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It usually has 8 ribs, often in spiral
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Flowers
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Seeds
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A one month old seedling
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Astrophytum one year after sowing
See also
In Spanish: Astrophytum ornatum para niños
