Rebutia (Aylostera) heliosa was first described by Walter Rausch in Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten 21(2): pp. 30-31, 1970, the journal of the Deutsche Kakteen-Gesellschaft. Subspecies A. h. cajasensis and A. h. condorensis were first described in Ashingtonia 3, p. 143 – 145 by J. D. Donald in 1978.

Here are the descriptions in Latin as published, followed by my own English translations. You should look up the originals for more details including photographs, drawings and further notes in German and English.

Rebutia (Aylostera) heliosa Rausch spec. nov.

Simplex, 20 mm alta et 25 mm diametiens, radice napiformi; costis ad 38, in gibberes 1 mm longos dissolutis spiraliter tortis; areolis 0,5 mm latis et 1 mm longis, brunneo-tomentosis; aculeis marginalibus 24—26, 1 mm longis, accumbentibus, deorsum directis, albis basi brunnea incrassata; aculeo centrali nullo. Floribus ex inferiore parte corporis nascentibus, 45—55 mm longis et 40 mm diametientibus; ovario olivaceoroseo, squamis paucis et pilis albis tecto; receptaculo roseo-violaceo, apice albo, ca. 2—3 mm angusto; phyllis perigonii exterioribus ca. 15 mm longis, spathulatis, longe serrate-acuminatis, aurantiacis medio-violaceo-striatis; phyllis perigonii interioribus ca. 10 mm longis, spathulatis, apice serratis, aurantiacis intus luteis; fauce et filamentis albidis; stylo plus quam dimidium totius floris receptaculo connato; stigmatibus 5—8, albis; fructu rotundo, ca. 4 mm diametiente, atroviolaceo, areolis brunneo-tomentosis et setis ca. 10, 1,5 mm longis, albis, asperis tecto; seminibus 10—20 e fructu natis, rotundis, asperis.

Patria: Bolivia, Tarija, secundum viam ad Narvaez, 2400—2500 m alta.

Typus Rausch 314 in Herbario (W).

Lau 405 Rebutia heliosa var. cajasensis Donald var. nov.

Differt a typo et suo var. condorensis, corpore majore brevicylindricis ad 30mm diametro et 40mm alto sed costis paucioribus 25-30 in numero; tuberculis et areolis a var. condorensis similibus sed spin is pectinatis longioribus, mutatioribus in coloris quam typo et var. condorensis, ad 5mm vel plus longis, albis vel flavis pallidis vel fulvis. Flores consimiles in magnis et formibus a typo sunt sed mutatiores in coloris, aurantiaci- rubri – coccinei, 40-50mm longi et 30-40mm lati a aperto maximo. Pericarpellus, tubus floralis, filamentae, stigma. fructus seminaque similes a typo sunt.

Habitatus, Abra Cajas, Dept. Tarija, Bolivia a 2400m. lnventa A. Lau numero L 405 dedit.

Typus in herbario K sub numero Lau 405.

Lau 401 Rebutia heliosa var condorensis Donald var. nov.

Differt a typo, corpore majore et applanatiore ad 40mm diametro et 30mm alto, in 30-40 costis, parvis tuberculis erigitis 3mm lat is et 1 mm altis, divisis; areolis elongatis, angustis et fulvolanatis, ad 3mm long is, 1 mm latis, 4mm inter se remotis, (typo, 2mm longis, 0.75mm latis, et tantum 2mm inter se remotis); spinis radialibus 12-16, semper albis, pectinatis, ad 4mm longis (typo, 20-26, ad 3mm longis, albis vel fulvis); floribus in mensuris et coloribus mutatis inter 25-40mm longis latisque, in colore inter rubris et coccineo-purpureis; tubis flororum 15mm longis, brevioribus artis magentis (typo, 45- 55mm longis, aurantiacis, tubis 20mm longis lilacino-roseis); tepalis lanceolatis ad spathulato-acuminatis, 10-15mm long is et 3-4mm latis, typo simile nisi in colore; filamentis, stigmatis, fructis et seminibus a typo similibus.

Habitat us, Abra Condor, Dept. Tarija, Bolivia a 2500m. lnventa A.Lau Numero L401 dedit.

Typus in Herbario K sub numero Lau 401.

English translations

Rebutia (Aylostera) heliosa Rausch spec. nov.

Single, 20mm high and 25mm diameter, tap-rooted; 38 spiralling ribs, divided into 1mm long tubercles; areoles 0.5mm wide and 1mm long, brown-wooled; 24 – 26 marginal spines, 1mm long, lying flat, pointing downwards, white with a thickened, brown base; no central spines. Flowers arising from the lower part of the body, 45 – 55mm long and 40mm wide; ovary pinkish-olive, with a few scales and white hairs; receptacle pinkish violet with a white tip, ca. 2 – 3mm wide; outer petals ca. 15mm long, spatulate, sharply serrated, orange with yellow on the inside; throat and stamens white; style fused with receptacle for half its length; stigmas 5 – 8, white; fruit spherical, ca. 4mm in diameter, dark purple, brown-wooled and with ca. 10 coarse white hairs, 1.5mm long; bearing 10 – 20 seeds, spherical, rough.

Habitat: Bolivia, Tarija, following the road to Narvaez, 2400—2500m altitude.

Type Rausch 314 in Herbarium (W).

Lau 405 Rebutia heliosa var. cajasensis Donald var. nov.

Differing from the type and var. condorensis in larger short-cylindrical body up to 30mm in diameter and 40mm high but with fewer ribs, 25 – 30 in number; tubercles and areoles like var. condorensis but pectinate spines up to 5mm longer, differing in colour from the type and var. condorensis, white to pale yellow to brownish. Flowers similar in size and form to the type but differing in colour, orange-scarlet-red, 40 – 50mm long and 30 – 40m wide when fully opened. Pericarpel, flower tube, stamens, stigma, fruit and seeds all similar to the type.

Habitat, Abra Cajas, Dept. Tarija, Bolivia at 2400m. Recorded as A. Lau field number L 405.

Type in herbarium K with number Lau 405.

Lau 401 Rebutia heliosa var condorensis Donald var. nov.

Differing from the type in a larger and more flattened body, 40mm in diameter and 30mm high, with 30 – 40 ribs, divided into raised tubercles 3mm wide and 1mm high; areoles elongated, pointed and brown-wooled, up to 3mm long and 1mm wide, 4mm apart (type has 2mm long, 0.75mm wide and just 2mm apart); radial spines 12 – 16, always white, pectinate, up to 4mm long (type has 20 – 26, up to 3mm long, white to brownish); flowers differing in size and colour and 24 – 40mm wide, red to crimson-purple; floral tube 15mm long, shorter and more magenta (type: 45 – 55mm long, orange, with a 20mm long lilac-pink flower tube); tepals lanceolate to sharply spatulate, 10 – 15mm long and 3 – 4mm wide, similar in colour to the type; stamens, stigmas, fruit and seed as for the type.

Habitat:, Abra Condor, Dept. Tarija, Bolivia at 2500m. Recorded as A.Lau Number L401.

Type in Herbarium K number Lau 401.