Aylostera steinmannii

Aylostera steinmannii
A cactus with orange flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Aylostera
Species:
A. steinmannii
Binomial name
Aylostera steinmannii
(Solms) Backeb.
Synonyms
  • Digitorebutia steinmannii (Solms) Buining
  • Echinocactus steinmannii Solms
  • Lobivia steinmannii (Solms) Backeb.
  • Mediolobivia pectinata var. steinmannii (Solms) Y.Itô
  • Mediolobivia steinmannii (Solms) Krainz
  • Rebutia steinmannii (Solms) Britton & Rose

Aylostera steinmannii is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family.

Description

Aylostera steinmannii is a small, clustering cactus species. Its stems are spherical to short-cylindrical, growing up to 2 centimeters tall and 1 to 3.5 centimeters in diameter. It has a thick, beet-like root. The plant has 8 to 10 spirally arranged ribs, which are divided into low tubercles. Its oval areoles vary in color from brown to whitish. The cactus lacks central spines, but has 8 to 13 marginal spines that are yellowish-white. These spines are needle-like, slender, flexible, and can be either protruding or spreading—often intertwined—and measure 3 to 10 millimeters long. The bell-shaped flowers are bright red to violet, up to 5 centimeters long, and about 4 centimeters in diameter. The pericarpel and floral tube are sparsely covered with grayish hairs. The stigmas are pale yellow or sometimes a delicate pale green. This species is native to regions from Bolivia to northwestern Argentina, primarily growing in tropical mountain environments.

Distribution

Aylostera steinmannii is found in northwest Argentina (in the provinces of Jujuy and Salta) and Bolivia (in the departments of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, La Paz, Tarija, Potosí, and Oruro). The species is native to montane tropical areas, and occurs at elevations from 3,400 to 3,800m.

In 2010, the species was assessed as of Least Concern, facing no major threats. IUCN notes that the population is stable, and that the species is locally abundant. The species is cultivated as an ornamental plant in specialized collections.

Taxonomy

It was first described in 1907 as Echinocactus steinmannii by German botanist Hermann zu Solms-Laubach in Botanische Zeitung. The species name honors the German paleontologist and geologist Gustav Steinmann. Later, botanist Curt Backeberg reclassified it into the genus Aylostera, giving it the current name Aylostera steinmannii. This change was published in his 1959 book Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rebutia steinmannii". IUCNRedList.org. IUCN Red List. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 "Aylostera steinmannii (Solms) Backeb". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  3. ↑ "Aylostera tuberosa (F.Ritter) Backeb". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "Aylostera steinmannii". www.llifle.net. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Eggli, Urs; Newton, Leonard E. (29 June 2013). Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-3-662-07125-0. Retrieved 14 July 2026.