(Astrophyton), a resemblance to which the name Astrophytum, sometimes applied to this plant, owed its origin.    From Wordnik.com.  [Cactus Culture for Amateurs Being Descriptions of the Various Cactuses Grown in This Country, With Full and Practical Instructions for Their Successful Cultivation] Reference

The hempen tangles were used, and brought up a very abundant yield of large, beautiful animal forms, a large number of asterids, Astrophyton, Antedon, &c.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Voyage of the Vega round Asia and Europe, Volume I and Volume II] Reference