Rebutia (Aylostera) kupperiana was first described by F. Bödeker (also spelled Boedeker) in Monatsschrift der Deutsche Kakteen Gesellschaft 4(12): pp. 276-8, the journal of the Deutsche Kakteen-Gesellschaft, in 1932.

The description is given here in Latin as published, together with my own English translation. It is rather brief but you should look up the original for extensive additional notes in German, plus a black-and-white photograph.

Rebutia Kupperiana Böd., sp. n.

Von Fr. Bödeker , Köln.

Simplex vel parce proliferans, depresso-globosa, vertice impressa, subnuda; costae ca 73, in tubercula spiraliter ordinata solutae; areolae parvae, sublanuginosae; aculei radiales ca 13—15, inaequilongi, ad 0,5 cm longi, tenues, aciculares, exasperati, albi, apice fusci vel pulli; centrales 1—3, crassiores, porrecti, pulli, ad 12 mm longi, papillosi. Flores e basi corporis orti, ad 4 cm longi; ovarium squamosum lana setisque albis praeditum; tubus parce squamosus; phylla perigonii interiora oblonga, mucronata, rubra; filamenta alba; stylus stigmatibus 5, albis stamina non superans; fructus viridis seminibus obscuris, 1 mm longis, opacis, punctatis.

Heimat Bolivien und dort bei Tarija in ca. 2500 m Höhe an Felswänden im Februar 1931 von Herrn Friedr. Ritter gesammelt.

English translation

Rebutia Kupperiana Böd., sp. n.

Von Fr. Bödeker , Köln.

Single-bodied to slightly proliferating, flattened-spherical, the crown slightly sunken, almost spineless; ca. 73 ribs, divided into spiralling tubercles; areoles small, with a little wool; ca. 13 – 15 radial spines, of unequal lengths, up to 0.5cm long, thin, needle-like, rough, white with dark brown tips; 1 – 3 central spines, thicker, up to 12mm long, papillose, projecting. Flowers growing from the base of the body, up to 4cm long; ovary covered with scales, white wool and bristles; tube with sparse scales; inner petals oblong, short-tipped, red; filaments white; style with 5 white stigmas, not protruding above stamens; fruit green with dark seeds, 1mm long, opaque, with puncture marks.

Habitat: near Tarija, Bolivia, at an altitude of ca. 2500m on rock faces. Collected by Friedrich Ritter.

[Although not given in the description, the type collection number was FR 762].