Aylostera polypetala was first described (as Lobivia pygmaea var. polypetala) by Walter Rausch in Lobivia 85, pp. 116 & 144, in 1987.

Here is the text of the description in Latin as published, with my own English translation below.

[Lobivia pygmaea] var. polypetala Rausch var. nov.

Simplex, brevicylindrica, ad 20 mm diametiens, glauca, radice rapiformi; costis 11, rectis vel paulum tortis, crenis transversalibus in gibberes 3 mm longos divisis; areolis ovalibus, 2 mm longis, fusco‑tomentosis; aculeis marginalibus 10–12, accumbentibus, ad 3 mm longis, cornus colore ad aureis, basi fuscis; aculeo centrali 0. Floribus 35 mm longis et diametientibus; ovario et receptaculo fusco‑roseo, squamis brunneis angustis, lana alba, setis griseis tecto; phyllis perigonii exterioribus violaceis, medio‑fusco‑striatis; phyllis perigonii interioribus spathulate‑serratis, rubris et intus aurantiacis, aureo‑nitidis, compluribus, floribus inde plenis similibus; fauce albida, filamentis albis, basi rubicundis, in dimidio receptaculi orientibus, stylo paululum connato, viridi, stigmatibus (8) viridibus. Fructu globoso, 5 mm diametiente, violaceo‑fusco, squamis clarioribus et pilis albis tecto. Seminibus Lobiviae pygmaeae (Fries) Backbg. modo, globose‑campanulatis, tunica arillosa reliqua tectis et hilo lato basali.

Patria: Bolivia, Potosi, Cucho Ingenio in 3.700 m alt.

Typus: Rausch 301.

English translation

[Lobivia pygmaea] var. polypetala Rausch var. nov.

Single, short cylindrical, up to 20mm in diameter, glaucous, tap-rooted; 11 ribs, vertical or slightly spiralling, divided by transverse creases into 3mm long tubercles; areoles oval, 2mm long, with brown wool; 10 – 12 marginal spines, lying flat, up to 3mm long, tip golden, base darker; no central spines. Flowers 35mm long and the same wide; ovary and receptacle dark pink with pointed brown scales, covered in white wool and grey bristles; outer petals violet with a darker central stripe; inner petals spatulate and serrated, red with orange /bright gold on the inside, multiple petals filling the flower; throat whitish, stamens white with a reddish base, arising from the middle of the receptacle, style fused a little, green, stigmas (8) greenish. Fruit spherical, 5mm in diameter, purplish-brown, covered with bright white scales and hairs. Seeds as for Lobivia pygmaea (Fries) Backbg., spherical-bell-shaped, rough coat with the remains of the skin attached and a broad basal hilum [point of attachment].

Habitat: Bolivia, Potosi, Cucho Ingenio at 3,700m altitude.

Type: Rausch 301.