Aylostera major description


Aylostera major was first published (as Lobivia steinmannii (Solms-Laub.) Backeb. var. major) by Walter Rausch in Lobivia 85, p. 146, in 1987.

Here is the text of the description in Latin, as published, with my own English translation below. You should look up the original for further details as well as a photograph.

Lobivia steinmannii (Solms‑Laub.) Backbg var. major Rausch var. nov.

Simplex vel paulum proliferans, globosa ad brevicylindrica, ad 60 mm alta et 35 mm diametiens, flavovirens, radice carnosa; costis 10–12, recte adscendentibus vel paulum tortis, crenis transversis in gibberes 4–5 mm longos divisis; areolis ovalibus, 2 mm longis, dilute‑fusco‑tomentosis; aculeis marginalibus 14, inter se contextis, ad 10 mm longis, vitreo‑flavis, basi incrassata fuscis; aeuleis centralibus 1–3, ad 15 mm longis, flavidis; aculeis omnibus setosis.

Floribus, fructu, seminibus Lobiviae steinmannii modo. Floribus 30 mm longis et 30 mm diametientibus, ovario et receptaculo ochraceo, squamis fuscis, pilis et setis albis tecto; phyllis perigonii exterioribus lanceolatis et serratis, violaceo‑roseis, medio‑olivaceo‑striatis; phyllis perigonii interioribus spathulatis, serratis, rotundis vel late‑acuminatis, rubris, intus aurantiacis; fauce albido‑grisea, filamentis albis, basi roseis, stylo crasso, ca. 5 mm cum receptaculo connato, viridi, stigmatibus (8), flavo‑virentibus.

Fructu globoso, 4 mm diametiente, viridi‑fusco, squamis obscurioribus, lana et setis albis tecto. Seminibus typi modo.

Patria: Argentina, Jujuy, apud Tafna, 3.600 m alt.
Typus: Rausch 334.

English translation

Lobivia steinmannii (Solms‑Laub.) Backbg var. major Rausch var. nov.

Single to slightly branching, spehrical to short-cylindrical, up to 60mm high and 35mm in diameter, yellowish green, with a fleshy root; 10 – 12 ribs, straight to a little spiraling, crossed with furrows between tubercles 4 – 5 mm long; areoles oval, 2mm long, with a little brown felt; radial spines 14, interlaced with themselves, up to 10mm long, translucent yellow, with thickened brown base; central spines 1 – 3, up to 15mm long, yellow; all equally bristly.

Flowers and fruit as for Lobivia steinmannii. Flowers 30 mm long and 30 mm wide, ovary and receptacle ochreous, with brown scales, covered with white hairs and bristles; outer petals leanceolate and serrated, violet-pink, with an olive brown centre stripe; inner petals spatulate, serrated, round to broadly pointed, red, with an orange interior; throat whitish-grey, anthers white with a pink base, style stout, green, with ca. 5 mm fused to the receptacle, stigmas (8) yellow-green.

Fruit spherical, 4mm in diameter, greenish brown, with obscure scales, covered in white wool and bristles. Seeds as for the type.

Habitat: near Tafna, Jujuy, Argentina, 3,600 m altitude.

Type: Rausch 334.