Lobivia (Aylostera) steinmannii (Solms-Laub.) Backeb. var. melanocentra Rausch was described in Lobivia 85, p. 146, by Walter Rausch, in 1987.

Here is the text of the description, in Latin as published, with my own English translation below. Note that as this is described as a variety of A. steinmannii it should be read together with the description given for A. steinmannii.

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

Simplex vel paulum proliferans, globosa ad brevicylindrica, ad 40 mm alta et 30 mm diametiens, glauca et violaceo­suffusa, radice carnosa; costis 12, recte adscendentibus, in gibberes 3–4 mm longos divisis; areolis ovalibus, 1 mm longis, dilute­fusco­tomentosis; aculeis marginalibus 10, divaricatis et inter se contextis, ad 8mm longis, setosis, flavido­albis, fusco­acuminatis; aculeo centrali 1, ad 15 mm longo, fusco ad nigro. Floribus, fructu, seminibus Lobiviae steinmannii (Solms­Laub.) Backbg. modo.

Patria: Bolivia, Tarija, ab Iscayachi ad occidentem versus, 3.600 m alt

Typus: Rausch 744

English translation

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

Simple to branching a little, spherical to short cylindrical, up to 40mm high and 30mm in diameter, glaucous and suffused with purplish, tap-rooted; 12 ribs, straight, divided into 3 – 4 mm long tubercles; areoles oval, 1mm long, with a little brown wool; 10 marginal spines, spreading and intertwined, up to 8 mm long, bristly, yellowish white, with brown tips; 1 central spine, up to 15 mm long, brown to black. Flowers, fruit and seed as for Lobivia steinmannii (SolmsLaub.) Backbg.

Habitat: Tarija, to the west towards Iscayachi, Bolivia at 3,600 m altitude.

Type: Rausch 744