Xerophyte

Description

Koh-yo (koo-yo or kôyo) is an odd Japanese variety with colourful bodies that take its name from the colours of the leaves in autumn. The old part of the stem is green, but new growth is bright yellow and red with a wide range of intermediate colours. This cultivar is not a variegate because the yellow and red colouring is not permanent, but occurs prevalently on the new growth near the stem tip and along the ribs, but gradually turn to dark green. The colouring accentuates during winter dormancy and is greatly influenced by cool temperature. In spring-summer the bright coloured areas fade and the plant takes a more uniform green appearance. The colouring not only varies during the year, but each individual plant has its own unique particular colouration.

Flowers

5 cm in length, pale-yellow, silk-shining unlike the white-spotted plant, occasionally with an orange gloom.

Blooming Season

Spring or early summer, They take up to 6 years to bloom.

Spines

None.

Ribs

The number of ribs vary from 3 to 8 (usually 5).

Stem

Spherical to shortly columnar with age. The stems is smooth lacking or mostly lacking white flecks and can be 5-10 cm in diameter and is shaped like a bishop's headpiece or a star.

Fruits

Dry, dehisces towards the apex forming about 5 star shaped lobes. With few seeds.