An unusual and highly collectible Astrophytum asterias ‘Super Kabuto’ displaying a fascinating clustering growth habit. Rather than developing as a conventional single symmetrical head, this special-form specimen has produced numerous compact growing points, creating an increasingly complex and sculptural cluster. Combined with the characteristic white Super Kabuto flecking, it is a particularly distinctive specimen with considerable collector appeal.
Several of the growing points also appear to be showing possible crested or fasciated tendencies, with irregular and compressed growth emerging amongst the more conventional rounded heads. As the plant develops, these areas may become more pronounced and could potentially form crested sections within the cluster. As with any developing abnormal growth form, however, the eventual growth pattern cannot be guaranteed, making its progression particularly interesting to observe.
The individual heads display attractive white flecking against a fresh green epidermis, with considerable variation in their shape, rib formation and markings. New offsets and growing points are also visible throughout the cluster, giving the plant excellent potential to become considerably denser and more elaborate with maturity.
This specimen is grafted onto vigorous rootstock to support its multi-headed growth and encourage substantially faster development than would normally be expected from Astrophytum asterias on its own roots. Grafting is particularly useful for unusual proliferating forms such as this, providing the vigour required to support numerous simultaneous growing points.
Special growth forms of Super Kabuto are particularly desirable because their development is unpredictable and every specimen can mature differently. With its combination of multiple heads, dense Super Kabuto patterning and intriguing signs of possible cresting, this is an unusual collector’s specimen with the potential to become an exceptionally interesting plant as it continues to develop.