Thelocactus rinconensis ssp. freudenbergeri,
Grutas de Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A remarkable subspecies that differs from the type for the presence of acicular radial spines and the beautiful magenta flowers.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Thelocactus rinconensis:

• T. rinconensis

• T. rinconensis ssp. freudenbergeri

• Thelocactus rinconensis var. phymatothelos

• Thelocactus lophothele var. nidulans
• Echinocactus nidulans
• Thelocactus rinconensis var. phymatothelos
• Echinocactus phymatothelos
• Thelocactus rinconensis var. nidulans
• Thelocactus rinconensis ssp. phymatothelos
• Thelocactus nidulans,
• Thelocactus phymatothelos
• Thelocactus multicephalus
• Thelocactus lophothele
• Echinocactus lophothele
• Thelocactus rinconensis ssp. freudenbergeri
• Thelocactus rinconensis var. freudenbergeri
• Echinocactus rinconensis
• Thelocactus rinconensis ssp. multicephalus
• Thelocactus rinconensis ssp. nidulans

Description: Usually solitary, develops a squat depressed to globose and highly ribbed stem  with flattened top up to 8 cm tall, 15 cm wide.
Ribs: 21, distinct.
Tubercles: conical.
Areoles: without glands.
Central spines: 3-4, 40-100 mm long, ochre to greyish, straight or slightly curved, acicular.
Radial spines: 4-6, 15-40 mm long, ochre to greyish, straight, acicular.
Flowers: Flowers: 50-60 mm wide, magenta, usually fail to flower until they are 5-9 years old.

Cultivation: It is a summer grower species easy to cultivate. Water regularly from Spring to Autumn, but do not overwater, can become too elongated if compost is too rich. Requires full sun or light shade and careful watering to keep plant compact with strong coloured spines. Needs good drainage and very porous potting mix, In Winter, keep dry.

Reproduction: Nearly always from seed, since the plant rarely produces plantlets.