Mediolobivia (Aylostera) haefneriana was first described by Dr. W, Cullmann in Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten 6(2): 119, 1955, the journal of the Deutsche Kakteen-Gesellschaft. The description was based on plants collected some 20 years or more previously and held in the Darmstadt Botanical Garden, referred to as “Pymaeolobivia No. 5″.

Here is the description in Latin as published, followed by an English translation which is my own.

Mediolobivia haefneriana Cullm. sp. n.

Cylindrica, obscuroviridis, ad 8 cm alta, ad 3,5 cm lata, basi proliferans, radix rapiformis, vertex paulum depressus superatus aculeis. Costae 11 clariter separatae; areolae minimae oblongae 1 mm longae 3 mm inter se distantes et separatae incisionibus transversariis libratis. 12 aculei radiales plerumque librati, setosi, primo flavi, deinde albescentes. Flores plerumque ex propinquitate verticis, infundibiliformes, 3 cm longi et 3,5 cm lati. Ovarium 4 mm diametro, subfuscum.

Tubus sordide roseus squamis acuminatis brunis cum lana subfusca et interdum seta brunescente ad 8 mm longa. Phylla perigonii interiora 5 mm lati, rotunda, colore cerasi. Stylus viridis 22 mm longus, conexus tubo usque ad 6 mm; 5 stigmata citriflava, 2,5 mm longa, plerumque coniuncta. Stamina purpurea; antherae pallide luteae. Patria probabiliter confinium argentiono-boliviense.

English translation

Mediolobivia haefneriana Cullm. sp. n.

Cylindrical dull green to 8 cm tall, 3.5 cm wide, branching at the base, tap root, apex slightly concave, covered in spines. 11 ribs, clearly separated; small oblong areoles of 1 mm long, 3 mm apart and separated by transverse divisions. 12 radial spines, bristly, first yellow, then whitish. Flowers usually near the apex, funnel shaped, 3 cm long and 3.5 cm wide. Ovary 4 mm in diameter, dark brown.

Flower tube dirty pink with pointed brown scales and dark wool and sometimes brownish bristles up to 8 mm long. Inner petals 5 mm wide, round, cherry coloured. Style green, 22 mm long connected to the tube by 6mm; 5 stigmas lemon-yellow, 2.5 mm long, mostly connected. Stamens purple; anthers pale yellow.

Habitat probably confined to Argentina – Bolivia border.