Xerophyte

Central Spines

4-(6), 6-10 cm long, and up to 2,5 mm broad at the base, brownish, reddish, ochre, yellowhis or whitish, becoming greyish, straight or slightly curved, acicular.

Seeds

1,7-2 mm long, 1,2 mm wide, warty testa cells convex.

Description

Thelocactus lausseriSN|3420]]SN|18847]] (not to be confused with Thelocactus sausseri which is the same species as Thelocactus conothelos) is a small sized species with a rather tight spination reminding of Thelocactus bicolorSN|18847]]SN|3420]] which has different flower size, flower colour and flowering periods.

Distinguishing Traits

This species has peculiar, very small flowers (the smallest of the genus) which are white, with a pinkish central stripe and looks surprisingly like those of some species of Stenocactus.

Tubercles

Rounded , prominent, 5-9 mm wide, 8-12 mm high.

Flowers

Almost apical, from younger areoles, very small, funnel-shaped, 25-45 mm long and wide (mostly about 3,5 long and in diameter), whitish to pale pink with a darker brownish-purple midvein, quite similar to that of some species of Stenocactus. Inner tepals narrowly lanceolate, to 25 mm long and 3 mm wide, pointed, whitish to pinkish colour with strong central pink stripe. Pericarpels scaly.

Ribs

8-10, distinct, slightly spiraling.

Stem

Spherical to short ovoidal, 7-10 cm tall, 5-8,5 cm wide, grey-green, divided into ribs,.

Fruits

Scaly, dehiscing at maturity by basal pores.

Habit

Usually solitary.

Blooming Season

The plants start forming buds already in autumn, and the first flowers appear plentifully from the end of January to the end of February.

Radial Spines

20-22 (rarely up to 25), 18-28 mm long, about 1 mm thick, silvery-white to yellowish, addpressed or slightly protruding, never erect, straight or slightly curved, acicular.

Areoles

Round, 5-6 mm in diameter, without glands.