Origin and Habitat: Western Sierra de Parras, Coahuila, Mexico.
Habitat: It grows among grasses in rock crevices. Dried tufts of grass and spines of Astrophytum capricorneSN|3564]]SN|3564]] v. senile are both very similar. Other commonly associated plant species in the habitat include Agave lechuguillaSN|23013]]SN|23013]], Euphorbia antisyphilitica (candelilla), Selaginella lepidophylla, Prosopis juliflora (mesquite), Fouquieria splendensSN|15717]]SN|15717]] (ocotillo), Ariocarpus fissuratusSN|2114]]SN|2114]] and various species of Echinocereus and Opuntia.

• Astrophytum capricorne subs. senile (Frič) Doweld
• Astrophytum senile Frič
• Echinocactus capricornus var. senilis Frič

• Astrophytum capricorne F.A.C.Weber in Bois
• Echinocactus capricornis A.Dietr.
• Maierocactus capricornus E.C.Rost
• Astrophytum capricorne var. mayor Frič
• Astrophytum capricorne f. nudum
• Astrophytum capricorne var. orientale Frič
• Astrophytum capricorne subs. senile (Frič) Doweld
• Astrophytum senile Frič
• Echinocactus capricornus var. senilis Frič

• Astrophytum capricorne var. aureum Megata
• Astrophytum aureum W.Haage
• Astrophytum capricorne f. aureum
• Astrophytum capricorne var. luteum F.B.Noyes
• Astrophytum capricorne v. aurea
• Astrophytum capricorne v. aureus
• Astrophytum capricornus v. aureus
• Echinocactus capricornis v. aureus
• Echinocactus capricornus var. aureus H.Moeller
• Echinocactus capricornus v. aurea
• Echinocactus capricornus v. aureus
• Echinocactus capricornus v. occidentalis

• Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum (H.Moeller) Y.Okomura
• Astrophytum capricorne niveum nudum
• Astrophytum crassispinum H.Moeller, W.Haage & Sadovsky
• Echinocactus capricornus var. crassispinus H.Moeller
• Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum nudum (H.Moeller) Y.Itô
• Astrophytum capricorne niveum nudum
• Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum f. cristata hort.

• Astrophytum capricorne var. minus C.Runge & Quehl
• Astrophytum capricorne var. minor (C.Runge & Quehl) Y.Okomura
• Astrophytum capricorne var. minus Frič
• Astrophytum capricornis f. minor (C.Runge & Quehl) Schelle
• Echinocactus capricornis var. minor C.Runge & Quehl

• Astrophytum capricorne var. niveum Y.Okomura
• Astrophytum capricorne var. niveum (K.Kayser) Backeb.
• Astrophytum niveum (K.Kayser) W.Haage & Sadovsky
• Echinocactus capricornis var. niveus K.Kayser

• Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum cv. Hooks
• Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum cv. Kigan
• Astrophytum capricorne cv. Kigan
• Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum cv. Taiho-gyoku Megata
• Astrophytum capricorne cv. Kigan Taiho Gyoku
• Astrophytum capricorne cv. Hakuzuihogyoku
• Astrophytum capricorne subs. senile cv. Krausii
• Astrophytum capricorne cv. Krausii
• Astrophytum capricorne subs. senile cv. Rosa
• Astrophytum senile cv. Rosa
• Astrophytum capricorne cv. Backebergi
• Astrophytum capricorne cv. Crassispinoides
• Astrophytum capricorne cv. Kiho-gyoku
• Astrophytum capricorne cv. Snowfrec

Description: Astrophytum senileSN|3564]]SN|3591]] is a variety of Astrophytum capricorneSN|3591]]SN|3564]], differing in its larger stems, which generally lack hair-flecks, and so densely wrapped with soft spines that the body is hardly visible, and looks like a dry grass bundle. Up to date many botanists don’t recognize the variety rank to this taxon which does not differ conspicuously from the other forms of the species.
Stem: Spherical to short cylindrical, up to 15 cm in diameter, epidermis darck green, almost naked or covered with with very few white hair-tufts.
Ribs: 7-9 (usually 8) sharply acute.
Spines: 16 to 20(-30), whitish, dark reddish brown till black colouring, later getting grey, bristly, flexible, square in cross-section, 5 to 7(-10) cm long and pointing in all directions that often form up spirals, they are so densely nest wrapped that the body is hardly visible and looks like a dry grass bundle. The lateral ones grows horizontally sideways at first and then buckle while the others point more or less upwards. After rain they get wet and become very flabby.
Flowers: Very showy, 6-10 cm in diameter, yellow (sometime orange or pink) with a red centre.
Blooming season: Flowers are freely produced in mid-summer from seedlings 5 years of age.
Fruit: Indeischent or splitting open by a basal irregular pore.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
3) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006Jackie M. Poole, William R. Carr, Dana M. Price, Jason R. Singhurst “Rare plants of Texas: a field guide” Texas A&M University Press, 30/Dec/2007
4) Hiroshi Hirao “Colour encyclopaedia of cacti” Seibundo Shinkosha, 1979
5) Hans Hecht “BLV-Handbuch der Kakteen” BLV-Verlagsgesellschaft, 1982
6) Willy Cullmann, Erich Götz (Dozent Dr.), Gerhard Gröner “The encyclopedia of cacti” Timber Press, 1987

Cultivation and Propagation: It is a popular summer-growing species of relatively easy cultivation.
Growth rate: Slow-growing.
Soil: Grow it in an open standard, sandy-gritty cactus compost and provide a very good drainage.
Exposure: It is suited for sunny-brightly exposure, but can tolerate light shade. However it will do its best with lots of sun and become stressed with inadequate light which could result in poor growth and unnatural shape. It has a good heat tolerance.
Watering: Water regularly (about once a week) during the growing season and keep it completely dry during winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. Water it less than average if in bigger pots.
Fertilization: Feed them once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They thrive in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Special need: It is suited for airy exposures. Provide very good ventilation. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation, especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. ere.
Hardiness: It likes warmth (recommended minimum winter temperature 5° C) But plants kept perfectly dry can easily survive to light frost (it is reported hardy to -7° C for brief periods).
Pests & diseases: These cacti may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new leaves and flowers with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales, thrips and aphids: These insects are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: It can be propagated easily from seed (seldom produces offsets). The seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sandy soil, any time during the spring when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the 1-2 weeks cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shade-cloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted after which they can be planted separately in small pots. Sometimes it is grafted to avoid root rot problems as plants grafted on an hardy stock are easy to grow and no special skill is required.