Aylostera (Rebutia (Digitorebutia)) diersiana was first described by Walter Rausch in Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten 26(2): 25, 1975, the journal of the Deutsche Kakteen-Gesellschaft. Two varieties were described: the type, variety diersiana, and variety atrovirens. After Mosti & Papini (2011) these are now regarded as sub-species. Both descriptions are given on this page.

Here is the text of the description of this species in the original Latin, but you should look up the original description for more details, including further details in German and photographs. The English translation below is my own.

Rebutia (Digitorebutia) diersiana RAUSCH spec. nov.

Walter Rausch

Simplex vel laesa paulum proliferans, brevi-cylindrica, ad 30 mm alta et 20 mm diametiens, clare-viridis, radice napiformi ; costis 10-11, recte adscendentibus ad paulum tortis, in gibberes 2,5 mm longos divisis; areolis ovalibus, 2 mm longis, paene se tangentibus, albo- ad clare-fusco-tomentosis; aculeis marginalibus 11, ad 2 mm longis, pectinate-accumbentibus, vitreo-albis; aculeo centrali 0.

Floribus lateralibus, 25 mm longis et diametientibus; ovario viridulo, receptaculo roseo, squamis paucis, angustissimis, atroviridibus, lana et setis albis tecto; phyllis perigonii exterioribus lanceolatis, roseis, violaceo-acuminatis; phyllis perigonii interioribus lanceolatis ad spathulatis, flavis ad aureis; fauce alba, filamentis perpaucis albis, stylo paulum connato, viridulo-albo, shgmatibus 5-6 viridulis.

Fructu et seminibus Digitorebutiae typo.

Patria: Bolivia, Cinti meridionalis apud Yuquinna, 3200 m alt.

Typus: Rausch 631 in Herbario Musei Historiae Naturalis Vindobonensi (Herbario W.).

English translation

Rebutia (Digitorebutia) diersiana RAUSCH spec. nov.

Walter Rausch

Body single or branching after damage, short cylindrical, up to 30 mm high and 20 mm diameter with a tap root, light green epidermis, ribs 10-11, straight ascending to slightly twisted, divided into 2.5 mm long tubercles, areoles oval, 2 mm long, almost touching each other, white to light brown felted, radial spines 11, up to 2 mm long, comb-shaped, glassy-white, no central spines.

Flower appearing laterally, 25 mm long and the same diameter, ovary greenish, tube pink with only a few, very narrow, dark green scales with white wool and bristles, outer petals lanceolate, pink with purple tips, inner petals lanceolate to spatulate, pale to golden yellow, throat white, very few stamens, white, style not protruding, greenish-white, stigmas 5-6, greenish.

Fruit and seed type like Digitorebutia.

Type: Rausch 631 in the herbarium of the Natural History Museum of the City of Vienna.

Home: Bolivia, South Cinti, near Yuquina at 3200 m.

Rebutia (Digitorebutia) diersiana RAUSCH var. atrovirens RAUSCH var. nov.

Differt a typo colore atrovirente ad violaceo, spatio inter areolas ad typum maiore, areolarum tomento et aculeis flavis ad fuscis.

Patria: Bolivia, Cinti meridionalis ante Salitre, 3200 m alt.

Typus: Rausch 633 in Herbario Musei Historiae Naturalis Vindobonensi (Herbario W.).

English translation

Differs from the type in that it has a dark green to purple epidermis; the areoles are further apart than in the type, the areole felt and the spines are yellow to brown.

Habitat: Bolivia, South Cinti, before Salitre at 3200 m.

Type: Rausch 633 in the herbarium of the Natural History Museum of the City of Vienna.