Astrophytum myriostigma cv. KIKKO nudum (Syn: Kikkô, Kitsukow, Kitsuko or Kitsu-kow.)

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	Astrophytum myriostigma cv. KIKKO "nudum"	CACTUSPEDIA


*Astrophytum myriostigma cv. KIKKO nudum* *This Astrophytum (in Japanese known as "Turtle shell") is very singular for its wide tortoise tubercles.*
Description: This rare Japaese cultivar is unmistakable for its pointed tubercles along the ribs edges, in fact its areoles stick out with large notches between them, giving them a saw tooth look. The furrows which appear transversely on the ribs cuts the continuity of the ribs and the plants appears decorated with a geometrical design which is raised above the surface. When viewed from above these plants resemble a tortoise-shell hence the Japanese word 'Kitsu-kow' that means "Turtle shell" but at a first glace (especially the nude form) resembles some chinned cacti particularly some *Gymocalyciums. Usually the young seedlings appears nothing special and looks like normal myriostigma, and barely shows any trace of saw teeth, but they start to produce the distinguishing indentation and turn into an amazing adult as they get 3 to 7 years old. In general the bigger the "saw teeth" are and the rounder and flatter they are, the better. All species of Astrophytum (excluded A. caput-medusae) have their particular "kikko"* variants. Stem: Pentagonal to almost spherical, dimension 22-40 cm tall, 5-10 cm in diameter. Spines: None. Ribs: Usually 5. Flowers: Like those of the well known A. myriostigma, pale-yellow, shining-silk. Blooming season: Spring to summer.

Cultivation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows very well on its own roots too. Use mineral well permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus). Water sparingly from March till October and keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is Hardy to -7°C for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.

Propagation: Almost exclusively by seed. Plants are sometimes grafted onto column-shaped cacti.
*A young specimen* Photo by: Weeraporn Pienpitak (Thailand) Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Kikko nudum (wide pointed tubercles form)	*Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Astrophytum myriostigma:* *A. myriostigma* *A. myriostigma bicostatum* *A. myriostigma columnare* *A. myriostigma cv. FUKURYU (type A)* *A. myriostigma cv. FUKURYU (type B)* *A. myriostigma cv. FUKURYU (type B) nudum variegata.* *A. myriostigma cv. HAKUUN* *A. myriostigma cv. HAKUUN nudum* *A. myriostigma cv. HAKUUN nudum forma cristata* *A. myriostigma cv. HAKUUN tricostatum* *A. myriostigma cv. HUBOKI* *A. myriostigma cv. HUBUKI* *A. myriostigma cv. KIKKO* *A. myriostigma cv. KIKKO nudum* *A. myriostigma cv. LAIMAKE* *A. myriostigma cv. LOTUSLAND* *A. myriostigma maculatus forma cristata* *A. myriostigma multicostatum* *A. myriostigma nudum* *A. myriostigma nudum forma cristata* *A. myriostigma nudum forma variegata* *A. myriostigma nudum cv MAIDEN BLUSH* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA ball type* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA columnare* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA cristata* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA + HAKUUN* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA + KIKKO* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA quadricostatum* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA tricostatum* *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA tricostatum + FUKURYU (type* A) *A. myriostigma cv. ONZUKA white form* *A. myriostigma quadricostatum* *A. myriostigma quadricostatum nudum* *A. myriostigma v. strongylogonum* *A. myriostigma v. strongylogonum cv. COSTA* *A. myriostigma tricostatum* *A. myriostigma tricostatum FUKURYU (type A)* *A. myriostigma tricostatum nudum* *A. myriostigma variegatum*

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific name: Astrophytum myriostigma Lemaire
Published in: Cactacearum Genera nova Speciesque novae et omnium in Horto Monvillano cultarum: 4-6 1839 Original description cv. KIKKO "nudum"

Origin: Japan, Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Etymology: kikkô ('Kitsukow', kitsuko or 'Kitsu-kow' ) kabuto means tortoise-shell alluding to the geometrical drawing of the tubercles (hexagonal design in A. asterias saw like- design in A. miriostigma and A . coahauilense). It must pronounce 'kit-coh' in Japanese.

A subadult specimen. The characteristic pointed tubercles appears only when the plant is 4 to 7 years old.

Astrophytum cv. KIKKO nudum "ball" (round form)

KIKKO: a variegated specimen Ø 10 cm
This cultivar is easily distinguishable for its ± wide and long pointed tubercles along the ribs edges.

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