Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-2 (or more) bent back and newly bent to the body the upper one is flattened, red- white colored, the spines produced in spring are brighter and redder while the one produced the hot period of year are paler, some plants have very short spines, whose central prickle has a length of only of 1,5 cm, but there are plants with 5,5 cm long spines. The name "heterochromus" (= many-colored) indicates patch effect of prickles, but it can be also applied to the variable colours of spines in different plants.

Description

Usually solitary the Thelocactus bicolorSN|15814]]SN|3420]] var. pottsii is one of most beautiful Thelocactus. Unfortunately this plant is supplied only, rarely, sometimes by the name Thelocactus heterochromusSN|3420]]SN|15814]].

Tubercles

Rounded that form 8-11 (usually 9) distinct ribs.

Flowers

Imposing 8-10 cm in diameter pink-violet lobes with a dark red throat and yellowish orange anthers.

Blooming Season

Flowers appear exclusively from June through August.

Spines

7-11 (-19), powerful, very different in length, thickness and colour.

Stem

Large, globular, low-growing, green, reach hardly 15 cm in diameter and get 10-15 cm tall. Epidermis - bluish-sulphur- green that became almost red-brown during the winter rest when the plants are dry.

Radial Spines

9-11 (-18) 1,5-3 cm long, yellowish strong, awl-shaped, usually bent downward.

Areoles

Round, on the outer side of tubercle bear semicircular heavy cut.