5-10cm Aztekium valdezii

Discover the youngest treasure of the Aztekium genus with Aztekium valdezii—commonly called Five-Star Aztec Cactus or Wuxing Hualong (五星花笼)—a ultra-rare cactus celebrated for its geometric star shape and status as a modern botanical discovery!

Grown from ethically propagated premium seeds, this miniature marvel features a compact subspherical body (2-3cm at maturity, rarely exceeding 5cm) with 5-7 pronounced, wrinkled ribs that form a striking star-like silhouette—its namesake "five-star" structure. The gray-green to blue-green waxy skin feels smooth to the touch, accentuated by tiny yellowish-white felty areoles and delicate upward-curving spines (which fade with age), enhancing its sculptural appeal.

As a recently discovered species (first documented in 2011 in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Oriental), it’s prized for both rarity and beauty. In late spring, mature specimens bloom with vivid deep pink to magenta funnel-shaped flowers (up to 2.5cm diameter) centered with white throats, emerging from the apex to contrast elegantly with its muted foliage.