This Bishop’s Cap barrel cactus sports more open flowers than we’ve ever seen in the ten years we’ve had it. We first bought this in a four-inch pot in Phoenix during one of our trips through there and now it’s in a much larger pot and grows bigger each year. Click image for bigger.
I took this photo of one of our favorite specimens, the Bishop’s Cap. We purchased this cactus in a three-inch plastic cup about nine years ago while on vacation near Phoenix, AZ. Today, it measures over twice as wide and tall. This cactus has given us dozens of these pretty flowers over the years we’ve had it.
Click on the image for a larger view.
More from WikiPedia.
Astrophytum myriostigma
Common names: Bishop’s Cap Cactus, Bishop’s Hat or Bishop’s Miter Cactus. This is a species of cactus native to the highlands of northeastern and central Mexico.
Bishop’s Cap is a spineless cactus defined by the presence of three to seven (usually five) pronounced vertical ribs which define the cactus’ shape when young (the genus name “astrophytum”, literally, “star plant”, is derived from the resulting star-like shape). As the cactus ages, more ribs may be added and it becomes more cylindrical in shape, growing up to about 70-100 cm tall and 10-20 cm in diameter. The stem is often covered with whitish flecks.
The cactus flowers in the spring or summer with one or more waxy flowers 4-6 cm diameter near its apex; the numerous petals are yellow, sometimes with an orange or red base. Pollinated flowers develop into a hairy reddish fruit about 2-2.5 cm in diameter. Plants may take up to six years to flower. It is commonly grown as an ornamental plant in cactus collections.
We’ve been calling this the “Friar’s Hat” ever since we got it. Now that we looked it up on the Internet we see that the popular name is “Bishop’s Cap.” Same thing as far as I’m concerned. It’s technical name is Astrophytum which means “star plant” due to it’s 5-pointed shape. I took this shot of it yesterday in our patio. Click to enlarge.
June is another colorful month here in our Arizona abode in which we have many late spring flowers opening. Upper left above is the Arizona State Flower of the Saguaro Cactus. Our big saguaro had many of these since May and there are a few late comers yet to open. Upper right is the showy and colorful Red Bird of Paradise flower. This is a close up of one of many, many currently open in the courtyard. Lower Left is our reliable old Bishop’s Cap cactus with too many open flowers to count, which is a regular thing for this little barrel cactus, even in the other months of the year. Finally, at lower right is the little rescued Fish Hook Cactus in a pot out back with two open flowers. There will be several more to come as June continues. Click on any of the images to enlarge.
Even though the Fish Hook and Saguaro Cactus Flowers will disappear soon, the Red Birds will continue to adorn our courtyard throughout the entire Summer and into the Second Spring months of Fall. The Bishop’s Cap will produce flowers on and off when it feels like doing so.
Update: 16 June – Some of our Cherry Red Cactus Flowers opened today:
Spring Months in our part of Arizona is always a colorful spectacle with the various native and some imported flowers. The native flowers above are the three with pink, being Hedgehog Cactus Flower (above right) and Beavertail Cactus Flowers (both lower pictures). The non-native is an Astrophytum (Star Cactus) flower whose cactus species is native to other parts of North America including Mexico.
The Star Cactus does well here and has given us many flowers, not always confined to spring like the others shown. Given our mild winters here, the Star and its cousin the Bishop’s Cap Cactus show flowers several times during the year.
Click on any of the images to enlarge.
UPDATE: 04/22/20 – Argentine Giant Cactus Flowers
Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are less than two weeks from the official start of winter. Regardless of that fact, and the unusually colder weather happening everywhere else in the country, here in Wickenburg, we are enjoying our usual mild temperatures with highs in the 60’s or 70’s.
This Bishop’s Cap Cactus in the courtyard had a couple of open flowers today. I took this photo of the cactus while a bee was browsing for pollen. The cacti aren’t the only source for pollen in as much as the Rosemary shrubs behind the RV Drive still are producing flowers. You can see the bees browsing them as well.
Click on the image to enlarge.
