Star cactus (Astrophytum asterias)
Taxonomy:
Listing Status:
Where Listed: WHEREVER FOUND
General Information
This plant is a member of the cactus family (Cactaceae).
- States/US Territories in which the Star cactus, Wherever found is known to or is believed to occur: Texas
- US Counties in which the Star cactus, Wherever found is known to or is believed to occur: View All
- USFWS Refuges in which the Star cactus, Wherever found is known to occur:
Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Countries in which the the Star cactus, Wherever found is known to occur: Mexico
- Additional species information
| Status | Date Listed | Lead Region | Where Listed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993-10-18 | Southwest Region (Region 2) | Wherever found |
» Federal Register Documents
| Date | Citation Page | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2003-11-06 00:00:00.0 | 68 FR 62828 62829 | Notice of Availability of the Final Recovery Plan for the Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias) |
| 1992-10-09 00:00:00.0 | 57 FR 46528 46531 | ETWP; Proposed Rule to List the Plant Astrophytum asterias (Star Cactus) as Endangered; 57 FR 46528 46531 |
| 1975-07-01 00:00:00.0 | 40 FR 27924 | Review of Status of Vascular Plants |
| 2010-03-29 00:00:00.0 | 75 FR 15454 15456 | 5-Year Status Reviews of 14 Southwestern Species |
| 2002-10-17 00:00:00.0 | 67 FR 64130 64130 | Notice of Availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for the Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias) |
| 1993-10-18 00:00:00.0 | 58 FR 53804 53807 | ETWP; Determination of Endangered Status for the Plant Astrophytum Asterias (Star Cactus) |
» Recovery
| Date | Title | Plan Action Status | Plan Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-09-19 | Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias) Recovery Plan | View Implementation Progress | Final |
| Date | Citation Page | Title | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-11-06 | 68 FR 62828 62829 | Notice of Availability of the Final Recovery Plan for the Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias) |
|
| 2002-10-17 | 67 FR 64130 64130 | Notice of Availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for the Star Cactus (Astrophytum asterias) |
|
| 2010-03-29 | 75 FR 15454 15456 | 5-Year Status Reviews of 14 Southwestern Species |
|
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| 2013-04-09 | 5 YR Review Star Cactus |
» Critical Habitat
No critical habitat rules have been published for the Star cactus.
» Conservation Plans
No conservation plans have been created for Star cactus.
» Petitions
» Life History
Habitat Requirements
Star cactus occurs among sparse, low shrubs, grasses and halophytic (salt tolerant) plants on xeric upland sites. Soils are usually gravelly clays or loams, and typically contain high levels of gypsum, salt or other alkaline minerals.
Food Habits
In the wild, star cactus is restricted to xeric sites that usually have high levels of salt, gypsum or other minerals.
Movement / Home Range
Star cactus is known from Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, Mexico as well as in Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr and western Hidalgo counties, Texas.
Reproductive Strategy
Strong (2007) estimates that star cactus plants reach a reproductive size after 19 years. She determined that the flowers are self-incompatible, requiring out-crossing by pollen transfer from a different individual. She observed numerous insects visiting open flowers of star cactus, including 1 species of ant, 6 beetle species, 12 bee species and 1 species of bee fly; a small bee, Macrotera lobata, appears to be an effective pollinator. Fruits contained an average of 55 seeds. Strong, A. 2007. Astrophytum asterias: A Review. Oral presentation at Texas Plant Conservation Conference, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Austin, Texas, September 19 – 21, 2007.
Other
The spineless, dull olive-green, dome-shaped stems of star cactus, up to 6 inches in diameter, are divided into eight radially-symmetrical segments, each adorned with tufts of white hairs.
» Other Resources
NatureServe Explorer Species Reports -- NatureServe Explorer is a source for authoritative conservation information on more than 50,000 plants, animals and ecological communtities of the U.S and Canada. NatureServe Explorer provides in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes common plants and animals too. NatureServe Explorer is a product of NatureServe in collaboration with the Natural Heritage Network.
ITIS Reports -- ITIS (the Integrated Taxonomic Information System) is a source for authoritative taxonomic information on plants, animals, fungi, and microbes of North America and the world.
FWS Digital Media Library -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Digital Library is a searchable collection of selected images, historical artifacts, audio clips, publications, and video.
