Quizzes
Quick Facts
- Also called:
- bishopâs mitre cactus
- Related Topics:
- barrel cactus
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Bishop's cap cactus
A nursery growing bishop's cap cactus (Astrophytum myriostigma).
bishopâs cap cactus
plant
Also known as: Astrophytum myriostigma, bishopâs mitre cactus(Show More)
bishopâs cap cactus, (Astrophytum myriostigma), species of spineless cactus (family Cactaceae) native to Texas and central Mexico. The plant is a common ornamental species.
Bishopâs cap cactus usually reaches no more than 100 cm (39 inches) in height and up to 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter. It has four or five distinct ribs that increase to eight or more with age. The plant is globose when young, becoming cylindroid as it gains more ribs. The gray-green flesh is covered with white flecks. The fragrant yellow flowers have numerous petals and usually appear in early spring or summer during the day.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.