Rebutia minuscula K.Schum.

Publication: Monatsschr. Kakteenk. 5: 102, cum xylogr. 1895

Description

Rebutia minuscula is a small clumping cactus species, widespread and extremely variable that has received numerous unnecessary names. Some of its variable forms don’t look like the same species.

Habit: It is a small solitary or mound-forming cactus. It grows quite close to the ground and offsets only with age. It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat. It is a prolific bloomer.

Roots: Fibrous.

Stems: Flattened globose to globose, apex depressed, bright to dull green, 4-6 cm in diameter.

Ribs: 16-21 with low, vertical or slightly spiralled with distinct tubercles.

Tubercles: Low, flat conical.

Areoles: Very small on top of tubercles, circular to slightly elliptical, brownish, 1,5 mm long, 4 mm apart. Slightly covered with short whitish felt, soon bare.

Spines: 25-30, btistly, whitish to yellowish, fine, 1-5 mm long.

Flowers: Slender funnel-form, bright red to violet (but also yellow, orange or even white), to 4 cm long about 3,5 cm wide. Self fertile. Flowers grow in profusion from the older areoles on the bottom half of the stem, often at the stem bases. Pericarpell, almost spherical, pale red, naked, covered with several darker red scales. Floral tube funnel-form, hollow, slightly bent upward, yellowish to reddish, above 15 mm wide, outside covered with scales without hair bristles, which gradually change in the outer tepals. Outer perianth segments (tepals) lanceolate, rounded or slightly apiculate, bright red with a purplish shine. Inner perianth segment slightly wider, usually bright red, gradually changing into yellow down into the throat (but variasble in colour). Filaments pale yellow, anthers yellowish. Style free to base, yellowish, stigma with 4-5 yellowish lobes only slightly protruding the anthers.

Fruits: Globose, red, to 3-4 mm in diameter, scarlet red when ripe, drying and cracking irregularly.

Seeds: Oblong, about 1 mm long and 0,7 mm wide, hilum basal, somewhat oblique, white, testa glossy black.

Remarks: Rebutia minuscula is quite variable. The differences concern the spination and flowers colour, however the size and number of spines is greatly influenced by the conditions of culture, at lower light levels the spines are less numerous, delicate and white, while with strong solar radiation the spines are stronger with a yellowish tint. In some cases differences are referable to separate population, but often occurred over a long period of cultivation due to autogamy. Many such variants have been described as species in the past.

Origin and Habitat

Rebutia minuscula has a wide range on northern Argentina (Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta and Tucumán). The species has a patchy distribution but is locally abundant.

Altitude: 1000 to 2800 metres above sea level.

Habitat and Ecology: The species grows in yunga forest on rocky outcrops. It is a rugged area with the high peaks separated by deep valleys; this has resulted in numerous localized forms of these plants, a factor that has resulted in their classification and nomenclature (scientific names) being in a bit of a chaotic state. The major threats are illegal collection and land use change due to agriculture and farming.

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia minuscula comes from mountainous areas, so like bright light, and cool and dry conditions in the winter. The whole Rebutia minuscula complex has delightful flowers and the plants remain compact, and clumps can easily be managed by division. It is easy to cultivate and recommended for beginners.

Growth rate: It is a slow growing but easily flowering species that will make clumps given the best conditions.

Soils: This species is easy to cultivate in a very open mineral mix with at least 50% sand or pumice grit and a pH slightly on the acidic side.

Repotting: They are small container size plants and prefer deep pots and good drainage to accommodate their tap roots, but they rot prone, because of the sensitivity to excess of watering, not easy to get to any large size on their own roots (it’s really a challenge to grow them into a large clump). They will occupy a small pot comfortably, and eventually remain a manageable sized house plant. It is better that they are repotted regularly. Repotting will increase the number and size of stems, and will increase the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until they reach about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter, but can be done at other times, too. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting, to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots. A layer of ‘pea’ gravel at the bottom of the pot improves drainage. A layer of decorative gravel as a top dressing helps prevent the caking of the potting mix, which decreases the rate of water absorption. It also keeps the perlite and pumice from blowing everywhere, and looks nice.

Watering: It requires full sun or light shade and careful watering to keep plant compact, and maintain strong and dense spines and allow the pot to dry out between waterings. Keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C. It tends to rot if too wet. The plants can be placed outdoors in April, but protected from rain and direct sunlight. Water them thoroughly when placed out, and again in two weeks, and again in one week. After one month the plants are ready to be placed out in full sun and full rain for the summer. During dry spells the collection is watered once a week, during hot dry spells, twice a week.

Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.

Hardiness: It is reputedly resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather and requires a winter rest period (hardy to -7° C, or less for short periods). Rebutias grow in nature at high altitudes, and do not thrive well at high temperatures in cultivation. They will often go dormant in mid-summer, and resume growth again when the weather cools in late August. They can tolerate amazingly low temperatures for long periods of time. All species can take a frost, even when not bone dry. It is generally accepted that plants kept at too high a temperature, or watered too much during the winter rest period, will not bloom the following year. They will be perfectly happy in pots outdoors from April to September if protected from torrential rain and hail.

Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.

Uses: It is a fine plant for a rock garden or container, contrasts well with agaves, yuccas, and low-growing flowering plants. This variety is also likely to flower as a house plant, but results will depend on a variety of growing conditions.

Pests & diseases: All, especially the young, are susceptible to red spider mites.

Rot: It is especially prone to root rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. However rot it is only a minor problem with rebutias if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.

Propagation: Offsets, seeds. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring or summer remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots. To make a cutting twist off a branch and permit it to dry out a couple of weeks, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.

Note: It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

1. Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001

2. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011

3. David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006

4. N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose “The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family.” Volume 4, The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923

5. Curt Backeberg “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde” Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart New York 1982–1985

6. Willy Cullmann, Erich Götz, Gerhard Gröner “Kakteen” edn 5 - Stuttgart Eugen Ulmer, 1984

7. Backeberg, Curt; “Das Kakteenlexikon” p. 384, 1966

8. Donald, John Donald; “The Classification of the Rebutias” Ashingtonia, 2: 43, 1975

9. Hlinecký, Antonín; “Rod Rebutia K. Schumann”; Fričiana, 5/36: 9, 1965

10. Krainz, Hans; “Rebutia minuscula K. Schumann; Die Kakteen”, CVc, 15.7.1960

11. Pilbeam, John; “Rebutia”, Cactus File Handbook No. 2. Cirio Publishing, Southampton, 1997

12. Pilbeam, John. “Sulcorebutia and Weingartia: a Collector’s Guide.” Timber Press, Portland. 1985

13. Pilbeam, John, and David Hunt. “A Sulco Gallery.” David Hunt Publishing, Milborne Port, England. 2004

14)Schumann, Karl Moritz; “Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen”, p. 395, 1898

15. Šída, Otakar; “Atlas kaktusů”, tab. 50, 1991

16. Šída, Otakar; “Rod Rebutia”, p. 31, 1997

17. Demaio, P., Lowry, M., Ortega-Baes, P., Perea, M. & Trevisson, M. 2013. Rebutia minuscula. In: IUCN 2013. “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 January 2014.

18. Dan Mahr “Cactus Gems from the High Andes” A Horticulture Information article from the Wisconsin Master Gardener website, posted 3 April 2009 <http://wimastergardener.org/sites/wimastergardener.org/files/rebutias.pdf\> Downloaded on 06 January 2014.

From llifle page Lobivia chrysacantha

Description

Rebutia chrysacantha is a variety or local form of the very variable Rebutia minuscula distinguished from the type species for having stiffer spines, yellowish with brown tips. The flowers are very showy, quite large reddish-orange and self-fertile.

Remarks: The size and number of spines is greatly influenced by the conditions of culture, at lower light levels the spines are less numerous, delicate and whitish, while with strong solar radiation the spines are stronger with a yellowish-brownish tint. In some cases differences are referable to separate population, but often occurred over a long period of cultivation due to autogamy. Many such variants have been described as species in the past.

Habit: It is a small solitary or mound-forming cactus. It grows quite close to the ground and offsets only with age. It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat. It is a prolific bloomer.

Roots: Fibrous.

Stems: Flattened globose to globose, apex depressed, bright to dull green, 4-6 cm in diameter.

Ribs: Spiralled with distinct tubercles.

Tubercles: Low, flat conical.

Areoles: Very small on top of tubercles, circular to slightly elliptical, brownish. Slightly covered with short whitish felt, soon bare.

Spines: Thinly acicular, stiff, yellowish with brown tips, 5-10 (or more) mm long.

Flowers: Funnel-form, bright reddish-orange, to 4 cm long about 3,5 cm wide. Flowers grow in profusion from the older areoles on the bottom half of the stem, often at the stem bases.

Fruits: Globose, red, to 3-4 mm in diameter, scarlet red when ripe, drying and cracking irregularly.

Seeds: Oblong, about 1 mm long and 0,7 mm wide glossy black..

Origin and Habitat

Salta, Argentina.

Altitude: Around 1600-1700 meters above sea level.

Habitat and Ecology: The species grows in yunga forest on rocky outcrops. It is a rugged area with the high peaks separated by deep valleys; this has resulted in numerous localized forms of these plants, a factor that has resulted in their classification and nomenclature (scientific names) being in a bit of a chaotic state. The major threats are illegal collection and land use change due to agriculture and farming.

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia chrysacantha (Syn: Rebutia minuscula) comes from mountainous areas, so like bright light, and cool and dry conditions in the winter. The whole Rebutia minuscula complex has delightful flowers and the plants remain compact, and clumps can easily be managed by division. It is easy to cultivate and recommended for beginners.

Growth rate: It is a slow growing but easily flowering species that will make clumps given the best conditions.

Soils: This species is easy to cultivate in a very open mineral mix with at least 50% sand or pumice grit and a pH slightly on the acidic side.

Repotting: They are small container size plants and prefer deep pots and good drainage to accommodate their tap roots, but they rot prone, because of the sensitivity to excess of watering, not easy to get to any large size on their own roots (it’s really a challenge to grow them into a large clump). They will occupy a small pot comfortably, and eventually remain a manageable sized house plant. It is better that they are repotted regularly. Repotting will increase the number and size of stems, and will increase the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until they reach about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter, but can be done at other times, too. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting, to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots. A layer of ‘pea’ gravel at the bottom of the pot improves drainage. A layer of decorative gravel as a top dressing helps prevent the caking of the potting mix, which decreases the rate of water absorption. It also keeps the perlite and pumice from blowing everywhere, and looks nice.

Watering: It requires full sun or light shade and careful watering to keep plant compact, and maintain strong and dense spines and allow the pot to dry out between waterings. Keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C. It tends to rot if too wet. The plants can be placed outdoors in April, but protected from rain and direct sunlight. Water them thoroughly when placed out, and again in two weeks, and again in one week. After one month the plants are ready to be placed out in full sun and full rain for the summer. During dry spells the collection is watered once a week, during hot dry spells, twice a week.

Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.

Hardiness: It is reputedly resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather and requires a winter rest period (hardy to -7° C, or less for short periods). Rebutias grow in nature at high altitudes, and do not thrive well at high temperatures in cultivation. They will often go dormant in mid-summer, and resume growth again when the weather cools in late August. They can tolerate amazingly low temperatures for long periods of time. All species can take a frost, even when not bone dry. It is generally accepted that plants kept at too high a temperature, or watered too much during the winter rest period, will not bloom the following year. They will be perfectly happy in pots outdoors from April to September if protected from torrential rain and hail.

Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.

Uses: It is a fine plant for a rock garden or container, contrasts well with agaves, yuccas, and low-growing flowering plants. This variety is also likely to flower as a house plant, but results will depend on a variety of growing conditions.

Pests & diseases: All, especially the young, are susceptible to red spider mites.

Rot: It is especially prone to root rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. However rot it is only a minor problem with rebutias if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.

Propagation: Offsets, seeds. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring or summer remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots. To make a cutting twist off a branch and permit it to dry out a couple of weeks, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.

Note: It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.

Source: Lobivia chrysacantha, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Lobivia knuthiana

Origin and Habitat

Salta (Argentina) Type Locality: Rosario de Lerma, Campo Quijano

Source: Lobivia knuthiana, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Lobivia senilis

Description

Rebutia senilis is a popular form of the very variable Rebutia minuscula distinguished by longer, bristly, glassy, white spines and very showy, large flowers, usually orange or crimson, but also white, red, and yellow which project up and outward from the lower sides of the plant. A similar colour range is found in other species of the genus, making it particularly attractive. It was named by its general appearance, “senilis” is senile (old), which refers to the white colour of the spines that largely covers the stems. It is self-fertile and blooms generously.

Remarks: The size and number of spines is greatly influenced by the conditions of culture, at lower light levels the spines are less numerous, delicate and whitish, while with strong solar radiation the spines are stronger. In some cases differences are referable to separate population, but often occurred over a long period of cultivation due to autogamy. Many such variants, including kesselringiana with yellow flowers and lilacino-rosea with lilac flowers have been described as species in the past as variety and forms, but often this “variety” are the result of confusion and misidentification.

Habit: It is a small solitary or mound-forming cactus. It grows quite close to the ground and offsets only with age. It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat. It is a prolific bloomer.

Roots: Fibrous.

Stems:Stem globular, depressed, bright green, about 7 cm. high and the same across, with spirally arranged tubercles and densely covered by spines.

Ribs: Spiralled with tubercles, approximate, in spiralled arrangement.

Tubercles: Distinct low, rounded 2-3 mm tall.

Areoles: Very small (1-2 mm Ø) on top of tubercles, circular to slightly elliptical, covered with abundant, long persisting, white wool, later bare.

Spines: 30 to 40 bristly, ristle-like, translucent, glassy white, erect or spreading, hardly distinguishable as radials or centrals, 5-30 mm long.

Flowers: Flowers grow in profusion from the older areoles on the bottom half of the stem, often at the stem bases. Funnel-form, usually orange or crimson (but also white, red, and yellow), to 4 cm long about 3,5 cm wide. Ovary spherical, 3-4 mm wide, yellow-orange, covered with triangular, completely bare reddish-brown scales; floral tube funnel-shaped, 3-4 mm in diameter at the base, 10 mm wide at the top, whitish inside, outside light reddish, covered with longer, brownish pink, bare scales, tepals narrowly lanceolate, tapering to a long point, 18-25 mm long; filaments pale yellow, 8-12 mm long, whith yellow anthers, pistil and stigma whitish, stigmas lobes thread-like stretching across the highest anthers.

Blooming season: The flowers appear in spring.

Fruits: Globose, red, about 5-8 mm in diameter, yellowish-red, covered with bare, olive-brown scales, with a thin drying skin.

Seeds: Oblong, glossy black 1,2 mm long and 0,8 mm wide, testa shiny, slightly bumpy; hilum white.

Origin and Habitat

All varieties and forms referred ofRebutia senilis come from Argentina, Salta Province, especially from the higher parts of the Quebrada de Escoipe and adjacent areas.

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia senilis is a free-flowering and easy plant to grow.

Exposition: Full sun to light shade.

Watering: Water regularly in summer but do not over-water. Keep dry in winter. Hardy down to -4°C.

Growing tips: It is better that they be repotted regularly. Repotting will increase the number and size of stems, and will increase the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until it reaches about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter, but it can be done at other time, too. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting, in order to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots.

Propagation: Offsets, seeds.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

1. Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001

2. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011

3. David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 200

4. Bill Sheat, Gerald Schofield “Complete Gardening in Southern Africa” Struik, 1995

5. Backeberg, Curt “Die Cactaceae” 3: 1545, 1959

6. Backeberg, Curt “Das Kakteenlexikon” p. 385, 1966

7. Backeberg, Curt; Knuth, Frederic Marcus. “Kaktus-ABC” p. 277, 1936

8. Donald, John Donald; “The Classification of the Rebutias” Ashingtonia, 2: 51, 1975

9. Hlinecký, Antonín; “Rod Rebutia K. Schumann” Fričiana, 5/36: 10, 1965

10. John Pilbeam “Rebutia” Cirio Pub. Services, 01/mag/1997

11. Šída, Otakar; “Rod Rebutia” , p. 36, 1997

12. Veverka, Miroslav; “Atlas kaktusů” tab. 36, 1993

Source: Lobivia senilis, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Lobivia violaciflora

Description

Rebutia violaciflora is another lovely variety that features golden yellow spines that grow 25 mm long and a yellow-green, clump-forming, globular body. It carries large, funnel-shaped, light-violet blossoms in the early spring. Rebutia violaciflora is one of the morphological or local forms of Rebutia minuscula, but the differences are in reality very minimal and the two plants are not readily distinguishable, if not flowering. More likely they are one and the same species, but it still has a value for a collector because they identify plants with particular characters. These light-violet flowered plants found in our collections, are almost always raised from selected self-pollinating strains and autogamy preserve this character in pureness, but in natural populations the colour of flowers ranges from red to purple, to violet and specific colouration such as violet is often the result of artificial selections.

Stems: Hemispherical or sometime globular, small usually less than 20 mm diameter (often larger in cultivation), usually solitary and depressed at apex. Deep yellow green.

Ribs: Completely divided in flat, rounded, spiralled tubercles.

Areoles: Round, round, 1 mm diameter, yellowish tomentose.

Spines: About 20, bristle-like, stiff, radiating, ranging from 3-25 mm in length. There are also some central spines, hardly distinguishable and somewhat stronger. All are deep golden-brown, tan or brown.

Flowers: Funnel shaped, 30-35 mm long, 25-30 mm wide at top, light violet-red and self-fertile. Ovary, about 3 mm wide crimson colored, with brownish triangular scales, c. 1 mm large, with very short woolly felts in their axils. Floral tube briefly flared, about 10 mm long, c 2 mm in diameter at the base, 7 mm wide above, brownish pink, with 2-6 mm long and 1-2 mm wide, reddish brown, naked, pointed scales. Outer perianth segments acutely lanceolate with spiny tip, purplish pink; inner perianth segments oval lanceolate with spiny tip, 15 mm long, 6 mm wide, purple-pink. Filaments white, 5-10 mm long, anthers small, spherical, yellow. Pistil, 20 mm long, thin, reddish pink to whitish, with five yellowish to whitish lobes, 2-3 mm long.

Fruit: Spherical, about 6 mm wide, orange-yellow, later browning, drying and cracking irregularly.

Seeds: Oblong, about 1 mm long, with shiny, black, finely warty testa and a large white hilum.

Origin and Habitat

Northern Argentina, Salta, above Quebrada Escoipe, at an altitude of around 3000 metres above sea level.

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia violaciflora is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate and recommended for beginners. The whole Rebutia minuscula complex has delightful flowers and the plants remain compact, and clumps can easily be managed by division. Another advantage is that the plants are very cold hardy in Winter if kept dry.

Growth rate: It is a slow growing but easily flowering species that will make clumps given the best conditions.

Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil with a pH slightly on the acidic side.

Repotting: This species will occupy a small flower pot comfortably and remain a manageable sized house plant, repotting should be done every other year or when the it has outgrown its pot. Use pot with good drainage.

Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater (the root system is rot prone) and allow the pot to dry out between waterings. Keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C.

Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.

Hardiness: It is reputedly resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather and requires a winter rest period (hardy to -7 C ° C, or less for short periods), but for safe cultivation it is best to avoid freezing temperatures. It does not like high temperatures in summer, and will be perfectly happy in pots outdoors from April to September if protected from torrential rain and hail

Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.

Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.

Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to and liable to damage by spider mites and thrips

but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation.

Rot: This species is particularly easy and accommodating, seldom suffer of cryptogamic diseases. Rot it is only a minor problem with rebutias if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.

Propagation: Division, direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! To make a cutting twist off a branch and permit it to dry out a couple of weeks, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.

Note: It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

1. Cyril Marsden, Herbert Spencer Jackson “Rebutia, Including Aylostera and Sulcorebutia” Macmillan, 1968

2. Hans Hecht “Cacti & succulents” Sterling Pub. Co., 1997

3. “Botanica: The Illustrated A-Z of Over 10,000 Garden Plants and how to Cultivate Them” Mynah, 1997

4. Wikipedie: Otev?ená encyklopedie: Rebutia violaciflora [online]. c2015 [citováno 29. 03. 2016]. Dostupný z WWW: <https://cs.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rebutia\_violaciflora&oldid=13073766\>

5. Backeberg, Curt, “Die Cactaceae”, 3: 1549, 1959

6. Backeberg, Curt, “Das Kakteenlexikon”, p. 385, 1966

7. Backeberg, Curt; Knuth, Frederic Marcus, “Kaktus-ABC”, p. 278, 1936

8. Donald, John Donald “The Classification of the Rebutias” Ashingtonia, 2: 43, 1975

9. Hlinecký, Antonín, “Rod Rebutia K. Schumann” Fri?iana, 5/36: 12, 1965

10. Krainz, Hans, “Die Kakteen”, 14: CVc, 1960

11. Pilbeam, John, “Rebutia”, p. 110, 1997

12. Šída, Otakar, “Rod Rebutia”, p. 32, 1997

Source: Lobivia violaciflora, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Rebutia calliantha var. kariusiana

Description

Rebutia minuscula f. kariusiana| (Rebutia kariusiana) is one of the many forms of the extremely variable Rebutia minuscula, and shows transitional characters between Rebutia minuscula subs. violaciflora| and Rebutia wessneriana subs. beryllioides. It has pink-violet flowers and plants in cultivation shows minimal variability. The hue of the flowers is very uniform and characteristic. Slight differences in colour shade are probably just the result of differences in culture or age of the plants. R. kariusiana grows and blooms well and its uniformity is probably due to controlled pollination. It has comparatively larger stems than other “minuscula” and tends to stay solitary or produce few shoots only with age. It is autosterile (needs cross-pollination).

Roots: Fibrous.

Stems: Flattened globose to globose, apex depressed and spiny, bright green, bout 50 mm in diameter.

Ribs: 16-21 with low, vertical or spiralled with distinct tubercles.

Tubercles: Low, flat conical.

Areoles: Small on top of tubercles, circular to slightly elliptical, 1,5 mm long, about 5 mm apart. Slightly covered with short greyish felt, soon bare

Radial spines: About 8 to 10, fine 3-6 mm long, white to light brown, at first lighter.

Central spines: 3 to 4, up to 6 mm long, dark brown, darker at base.

Flowers: Slender funnel-form, 45 mm long, 40 mm wide, both inside and outside pale pink to bright violet pink . Self fertile. Buds pointed, light green. Flowers grow in profusion from the older areoles on the bottom half of the stem, often at the stem bases. Pericarpell, pale to olive green almost spherical, pale red, naked, covered with several darker red scales. Floral tube funnel-form, about 12 mm long, with pale green scales without hair bristles, which gradually change in the outer tepals. Outer perianth segments (tepals) acute-lanceolate, with a marked brownish mid strip on the outside. Inner perianth segment slightly wider, usually bright pink. Filaments yellow, anthers yellowish. Style free to base, pink, stigma with 4-5 white lobes only slightly protruding the anthers.

Fruits: Globose, yellow-green, to 6 mm in diameter, drying and cracking irregularly.

Seeds: Oblong, glossy black about 1 mm long and 0,7 mm wide, hilum basal, somewhat oblique, white.

Remarks: Rebutia minuscula is quite variable. The differences concern the spination and flowers colour, however the size and number of spines is greatly influenced by the conditions of culture, at lower light levels the spines are less numerous, delicate and white, while with strong solar radiation the spines are stronger with a yellowish tint. In some cases differences are referable to separate population, but often occurred over a long period of cultivation due to autogamy. Many such variants have been described as species in the past.

Origin and Habitat

Rebutia kariusiana is a cultivated form presumably endemic to Northern Argentina, in the province of Salta, near the areal of Rebutia violaciflora a Rebutia beryllioide. According to other information, the first original Rebutia kariusiana was found in a batch of Rebutia marsoneri and should come from an area in the province of Jujuy.

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia kariusiana (Rebutia minuscula f. kariusiana|) comes from mountainous areas, so like bright light, and cool and dry conditions in the winter. The whole Rebutia minuscula complex has delightful flowers and the plants remain compact, and clumps can easily be managed by division. It is easy to cultivate and recommended for beginners.

Growth rate: It is a slow growing but easily flowering species that will make clumps given the best conditions.

Soils: This species is easy to cultivate in a very open mineral mix with at least 50% sand or pumice grit and a pH slightly on the acidic side.

Repotting: They are small container size plants and prefer deep pots and good drainage to accommodate their tap roots, but they rot prone, because of the sensitivity to excess of watering, not easy to get to any large size on their own roots (it’s really a challenge to grow them into a large clump). They will occupy a small pot comfortably, and eventually remain a manageable sized house plant. It is better that they are repotted regularly. Repotting will increase the number and size of stems, and will increase the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until they reach about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter, but can be done at other times, too. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting, to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots. A layer of ‘pea’ gravel at the bottom of the pot improves drainage. A layer of decorative gravel as a top dressing helps prevent the caking of the potting mix, which decreases the rate of water absorption. It also keeps the perlite and pumice from blowing everywhere, and looks nice.

Watering: It requires full sun or light shade and careful watering to keep plant compact, and maintain strong and dense spines and allow the pot to dry out between waterings. Keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C. It tends to rot if too wet. The plants can be placed outdoors in April, but protected from rain and direct sunlight. Water them thoroughly when placed out, and again in two weeks, and again in one week. After one month the plants are ready to be placed out in full sun and full rain for the summer. During dry spells the collection is watered once a week, during hot dry spells, twice a week.

Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.

Hardiness: It is reputedly resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather and requires a winter rest period (hardy to -7° C, or less for short periods). Rebutias grow in nature at high altitudes, and do not thrive well at high temperatures in cultivation. They will often go dormant in mid-summer, and resume growth again when the weather cools in late August. They can tolerate amazingly low temperatures for long periods of time. All species can take a frost, even when not bone dry. It is generally accepted that plants kept at too high a temperature, or watered too much during the winter rest period, will not bloom the following year. They will be perfectly happy in pots outdoors from April to September if protected from torrential rain and hail.

Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.

Uses: It is a fine plant for a rock garden or container, contrasts well with agaves, yuccas, and low-growing flowering plants. This variety is also likely to flower as a house plant, but results will depend on a variety of growing conditions.

Pests & diseases: All, especially the young, are susceptible to red spider mites.

Rot: It is especially prone to root rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. However rot it is only a minor problem with rebutias if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.

Propagation: Offsets, seeds. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring or summer remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots. To make a cutting twist off a branch and permit it to dry out a couple of weeks, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.

Note: It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

1. Přispěvatelé Wikipedie, ‘Rebutia kariusiana’, Wikipedie: Otevřená encyklopedie, 16. 09. 2014, 01:43 UTC, <http://cs.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rebutia\_kariusiana&oldid=11860796\> [získáno 2. 11. 2014]

2. Backeberg, Curt; “Das Kakteenlexikon”, p. 384, 385, 1966

3. Donald, John Donald; Ashingtonia, 2: 51, 1975

4. Pilbeam, John; “Rebutia”, p. 50, 1997

5. Šída, Otakar; “Atlas kaktusů,” tab. 67, 1988

6. Šída, Otakar; “Rod Rebutia”, p. 34, 1997

7. Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001

8. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011

9. David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006

10. N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose “The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family.” Volume 4, The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923

Source: Rebutia calliantha var. kariusiana, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Rebutia chrysacantha var. elegans

Description

Rebutia chrysacantha var. elegans is a local or morphological form of the very variable Rebutia minuscula it distinguishes from standard Rebutia chrysacantha for having rather short bristly whitish spines (Rather than yellowish and stiff) and very showy, large reddish-orange flowers. The name is derived from the overall appearance of the variety, with elegant, neat, spines spirally arranged. It is self-fertile.

Note: Originally var. elegans was assigned to Rebutia xanthocarpa, as indicated by Backeberg first description for the somewhat short spination, but the shape and size of the flower assigns unambiguously it to the group “Rebutia senilis - Rebutia chrysacantha”, and due to the more elongated growth, the yellowish colouration of the spines and the presence of yellow colour in the flowers with wider petals assigns var. elegans rather to Rebutia chrysacantha. Despite all this, due to the fact that this variety is probably not referred to any natural population, it would be more appropriate, as well as for other infraspecific taxa, to use the level of form.

Habit: It is a small solitary or mound-forming cactus. It grows quite close to the ground and offsets only with age. It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat. It is a prolific bloomer.

Roots: Fibrous.

Stems: Flattened globose to elongate-globose, apex depressed, bright to dull green, 4-6 cm in diameter.

Ribs: Spiralled with distinct low, rounded tubercles, approximate, in spiralled arrangement.

Areoles: Very small on top of tubercles, circular to slightly elliptical, brownish. Slightly covered with short whitish felt, soon bare.

Spines: Up to 30 bristly, stiff, erect or spreading, hardly distinguishable as radials or centrals, whitish with yellow tips, 5-10 (or more) mm long.

Flowers: Flowers grow in profusion from the older areoles on the bottom half of the stem, often at the stem bases. Funnel-form, red with a yellowish tint, to 4 cm long about 3,5 cm wide. Floral tube slender, yellowish-orange. Tepals alike those of all varieties of Rebutia chrysacantha noticeably wider than Rebutia senilis, yellowish red. Filaments yellow. Pistil yellow, free-standing Stigma white, with thin outstretched stigma lobes.

Fruits: Globose, red, about 5 mm in diameter, scarlet red when ripe, with a thin drying skin.

Seeds: Oblong, about 1 mm long and 0,7 mm wide glossy black.

Remarks: The size and number of spines is greatly influenced by the conditions of culture, at lower light levels the spines are less numerous, delicate and whitish, while with strong solar radiation the spines are stronger with a yellowish tint. In some cases differences are referable to separate population, but often occurred over a long period of cultivation due to autogamy. Many such variants have been described as species in the past as variety and forms, but often this “variety” are the result of confusion and misidentification.

Origin and Habitat

In the original description was cited as a site just generically “north Argentina, Salta”.

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia chrysacantha var. elegans is a free-flowering and easy plant to grow.

Exposition: Full sun to light shade.

Watering: Water regularly in summer but do not over-water. Keep dry in winter. Hardy down to -4°C.

Growing tips: It is better that they be repotted regularly. Repotting will increase the number and size of stems, and will increase the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until it reaches about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter, but it can be done at other time, too. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting, in order to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots.

Propagation: Offsets, seeds.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

1. Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001

2. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011

3. David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006

4. N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose “The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family.” Volume 4, The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923

5. Curt Backeberg “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde” Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart New York 1982–1985

6. Willy Cullmann, Erich Götz, Gerhard Gröner “Kakteen” edn 5 - Stuttgart Eugen Ulmer, 1984

7. Backeberg, Curt; “Das Kakteenlexikon” p. 384, 1966

8. Donald, John Donald; “The Classification of the Rebutias” Ashingtonia, 2: 43, 1975

9. Hlinecký, Antonín; “Rod Rebutia K. Schumann”; Fri?iana, 5/36: 9, 1965

10. Krainz, Hans; “Rebutia minuscula K. Schumann; Die Kakteen”, CVc, 15.7.1960

11. Pilbeam, John; “Rebutia”, Cactus File Handbook No. 2. Cirio Publishing, Southampton, 1997

12. Pilbeam, John. “Sulcorebutia and Weingartia: a Collector’s Guide.” Timber Press, Portland. 1985

13. Pilbeam, John, and David Hunt. “A Sulco Gallery.” David Hunt Publishing, Milborne Port, England. 2004

14)Schumann, Karl Moritz; “Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen”, p. 395, 1898

15. Šída, Otakar; “Atlas kaktus?”, tab. 50, 1991

16. Šída, Otakar; “Rod Rebutia”, p. 31, 1997

17. Demaio, P., Lowry, M., Ortega-Baes, P., Perea, M. & Trevisson, M. 2013. Rebutia minuscula. In: IUCN 2013. “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 January 2014.

18. Dan Mahr “Cactus Gems from the High Andes” A Horticulture Information article from the Wisconsin Master Gardener website, posted 3 April 2009 <http://wimastergardener.org/sites/wimastergardener.org/files/rebutias.pdf\> Downloaded on 06 January 2014.

Source: Rebutia chrysacantha var. elegans, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Rebutia chrysacantha var. iseliniana

Description

Rebutia senilis var. iseliniana ( Occasionally misspelled “iseliana” or even “ischeliana”) is a superfluous or questionable name, first published in 1946 by Krainz. This controversial “variety” is somewhat similar and not easy to tell apart from standard Rebutia senilis if not for the bright orange or orange-red flowers and thinner spines, sometimes pure white, often with a yellowish cast. The plants clump naturally and are very floriferous and attractive. Yellow flowering specimens are also frequent in cultivation. Regrettably most plants in cultivation under the name Rebutia senilis var. iseliniana seldom match up to the original description, being usually raised from commercial seed which have often been wrongly identified.

Taxonomy notes: It is very difficult to distinguish Rebutia chrysacantha from Rebutia senilis var. iseliniana if guided by the description given by Backeberg for Rebutia chrysacantha (Kaktus-ABC, p. 276/277), for it could apply equally well to that of the senilis variety, especially when the latter develops yellow spines as it does when grown slowly in full sun. The flowers of the two plants are very similar, and differ only in shade. Probably Rebutia chrysacantha var. kesselringiana could also be included here. On the other hand both Rebutia chrysacantha and Rebutia chrysacantha var. kesselringiana are to be diagnosed as varieties of Rebutia senilis, suggesting that there is not really a fundamental difference between them. Recently Rebutia senilis var. iseliniana has been included within Rebutia minuscula (Anderson, 2001).

Stem: Same as Rebutia senilis. Small, flattened-globular to spherical.

Spines: Hair-like, very fine, more loosely arranged than those of Rebutia senilis, pure white, often with a yellowish tone.

Flowers: Usually large, about 40-50 mm long and 40 mm wide, exclusively from the base of the stem c. 3-4 mm above the the surface of the ground (like in Rebutia chrysacantha). Buds red, with pointed scales paler towards the tips. Outer perianth segments light orange to orange-red inner perianth segments 14-17, 20-25 mm long, 7-8 mm wide, lanceolate, usually bright orange-red (occasionally yellow), with or without a darker mid-strip, and often with a brown throat, outside often with purple gloss. Ovary c. 4 mm in diameter, with pale orange to greenish-brown scales. Tube slender yellow-orange. Pistil white to yellow-white. Stigma white, with 5-7 thin stigma lobes, above the anthers. Filaments bright yellow, anthers creamy-yellow. Mostly self-fertile.

Fruits: Spherical, 5-7 mm diameter, yellow-orange, with red-green-scales (like in Rebutia chrysacantha), at times with a few bristles.

Seeds: Rough but shiny black, about 1 mm long.

Origin and Habitat

Salta, Argentina.

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia senilis var. iseliniana comes from mountainous areas, so like bright light, and cool and dry conditions in the winter. The whole Rebutia minuscula complex has delightful flowers and the plants remain compact, and clumps can easily be managed by division. It is easy to cultivate and recommended for beginners.

Growth rate: It is a slow growing but easily flowering species that will make clumps given the best conditions.

Soils: This species is easy to cultivate in a very open mineral mix with at least 50% sand or pumice grit and a pH slightly on the acidic side.

Repotting: They are small container size plants and prefer deep pots and good drainage to accommodate their tap roots, but they rot prone, because of the sensitivity to excess of watering, not easy to get to any large size on their own roots (it’s really a challenge to grow them into a large clump). They will occupy a small pot comfortably, and eventually remain a manageable sized house plant. It is better that they are repotted regularly. Repotting will increase the number and size of stems, and will increase the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until they reach about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter, but can be done at other times, too. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting, to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots. A layer of ‘pea’ gravel at the bottom of the pot improves drainage. A layer of decorative gravel as a top dressing helps prevent the caking of the potting mix, which decreases the rate of water absorption. It also keeps the perlite and pumice from blowing everywhere, and looks nice.

Watering: It requires full sun or light shade and careful watering to keep plant compact, and maintain strong and dense spines and allow the pot to dry out between waterings. Keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C. It tends to rot if too wet. The plants can be placed outdoors in April, but protected from rain and direct sunlight. Water them thoroughly when placed out, and again in two weeks, and again in one week. After one month the plants are ready to be placed out in full sun and full rain for the summer. During dry spells the collection is watered once a week, during hot dry spells, twice a week.

Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.

Hardiness: It is reputedly resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather and requires a winter rest period (hardy to -7° C, or less for short periods). Rebutias grow in nature at high altitudes, and do not thrive well at high temperatures in cultivation. They will often go dormant in mid-summer, and resume growth again when the weather cools in late August. They can tolerate amazingly low temperatures for long periods of time. All species can take a frost, even when not bone dry. It is generally accepted that plants kept at too high a temperature, or watered too much during the winter rest period, will not bloom the following year. They will be perfectly happy in pots outdoors from April to September if protected from torrential rain and hail.

Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.

Uses: It is a fine plant for a rock garden or container, contrasts well with agaves, yuccas, and low-growing flowering plants. This variety is also likely to flower as a house plant, but results will depend on a variety of growing conditions.

Pests & diseases: All, especially the young, are susceptible to red spider mites.

Rot: It is especially prone to root rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. However rot it is only a minor problem with rebutias if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.

Propagation: Offsets, seeds. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring or summer remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots. To make a cutting twist off a branch and permit it to dry out a couple of weeks, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.

Note: It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

1. Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001

2. Cyril Marsden, Herbert Spencer Jackson “Rebutia, Including Aylostera and Sulcorebutia” Macmillan, 1968

3. John Pilbeam “Rebutia” Cirio Pub. Services, 01 May 1997

4. Backeberg, Curt; Knuth, Frederic Marcus “Kaktus-ABC”, p. 277, 1936

5. Backeberg C. “Das Kakteenlexikon” p. 383, 1966

6. O. Šída, Rod Rebutia, p.18, 1997

7. H. Krainz, “Der Schweizer Garten”, p.284, 1946

8. J. Donald, in: Cactus (Paris), 9: 40, 1954

9. A. F. H. Buining, im: J. Donald, Sukkulentenkunde, 7/8: 99, 1963

10. The Cactus and Succulent Journal of Great Britain, Cactus and Succulent Society of Great Britain, 1952

Source: Rebutia chrysacantha var. iseliniana, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Rebutia senilis var. aurescens

Origin and Habitat

Chicoana, El Rodeo, antes de La Zanja, alt. 2300 m

Source: Rebutia senilis var. aurescens, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Rebutia senilis var. lilacinorosea

Description

Rebutia senilis var. lilacino-rosea| is a small cactus species, with peculiar pink-violet flowers that distinguishes it from other varieties of Rebutia senilis.

Habitat: It is solitary or clumping and in age can grow clumps 10-15 cm wide. Each head is surrounded by a complete ring of pink-violet flowers produced from around the base of the plant. It begins to offset in about its third or fourth year, eventually making a moderately tight clump, with the individual stems standing out a little on their own.

Roots: Fibrous.

Stem: Squat, depressed globose (or somewhat spherical to slightly elongated in cultivation), deep green, 4-6(-7) cm in diameter and 4-6(-10) cm tall.

Ribs: 16-21 spiralling with low, vertical or slightly spiralled with distinct tubercles.

Tubercles: Low, flat conical in two downward spirals, in ratio 8:13.

Areoles: Circular, about 1 mm wide, brownish white tomentose.

Spines: Approximately 25, radiating to to upright, hardly distinguishable as radials and central, variable, usually few thin, short bristle-like, flexible, translucent and tiny, as with the well- known Rebutia minuscula (or fairly long, flexible, and more prolific, as seen on Rebutia senilis) whitish, usually with dark tips, 3-15 mm long.in number, 5-10 mm long, pure white.

Flowers: It produces a larger crop of funnel-shaped pink-violet of flowers, about 30 mm long and 35 mm wide, purplish pink, floral tube slender funnel-shaped, outside as well as pericarpel covered with brownish-red, naked scales. Perianth segments lanceolate, fairly uniformly purple-pink with short dark tips. Filaments whitish, anthers yellowish.

Style free to base pink with 4-5 white, spreading stigma lobes slightly protruding the anthers.

Blooming season: It is usually one of the earliest rebutias to flower in spring.

Fruit: Spherical, yellowish red or brownish, to 5 mm in diameter.

Seeds: Oblong, about 1 mm long, testa glossy black, hilum white.

Origin and Habitat

Salta (Argentina)

Type Locality: Chicoana, 22 km al oeste de El Carril, alt. 2770 m

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia senilis var. lilacino-rosea| is a free-flowering and easy plant to grow.

Exposition: Full sun to light shade.

Watering: Water regularly in summer but do not over-water. Keep dry in winter. Hardy down to -4°C.

Growing tips: It is better that they be repotted regularly. Repotting will increase the number and size of stems, and will increase the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until it reaches about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter, but it can be done at other time, too. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting, in order to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots.

Propagation: Offsets, seeds.

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

1. Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001

2. James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011

3. David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006

4. N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose “The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family.” Volume 4, The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923

5. Curt Backeberg “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde” Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart New York 1982–1985

6. Willy Cullmann, Erich Götz, Gerhard Gröner “Kakteen” edn 5 - Stuttgart Eugen Ulmer, 1984

7. Backeberg, Curt; “Das Kakteenlexikon” p. 384, 1966

8. Donald, John Donald; “The Classification of the Rebutias” Ashingtonia, 2: 43, 1975

9. Hlinecký, Antonín; “Rod Rebutia K. Schumann”; Fričiana, 5/36: 9, 1965

10. Krainz, Hans; “Rebutia minuscula K. Schumann; Die Kakteen”, CVc, 15.7.1960

11. Pilbeam, John; “Rebutia”, p. 57, 1997

12)Schumann, Karl Moritz; “Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen”, p. 395, 1898

13. Šída, Otakar; “Atlas kaktusů”, tab. 50, 1991

14. Šída, Otakar; “Rod Rebutia”, p. 31, 1997

15. Demaio, P., Lowry, M., Ortega-Baes, P., Perea, M. & Trevisson, M. 2013. Rebutia minuscula. In: IUCN 2013. “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 06 January 2014.

Source: Rebutia senilis var. lilacinorosea, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Rebutia violaciflora var. albispina

Description

Rebutia violaciflora var. albispina is one of the many forms of the extremely variable Rebutia minuscula. It has peculiar pink-violet flowers and bright glassy-white spines somewhat intermediate between the short, bristle-like spines of Rebutia minuscula and the fairly long, flexible spines of Rebutia senilis. It is very similar to Rebutia senilis var. lilacino-rosea| Backeberg, but spines are usually longer and whiter.

Habitat: It is solitary or clumping and in age can grow clumps 10-15 cm wide. Each head is surrounded by a complete ring of pink-violet flowers produced from around the base of the plant. It begins to offset in about its third or fourth year, eventually making a moderately tight clump, with the individual stems standing out a little on their own.

Roots: Fibrous.

Stem: Squat, depressed globose (or somewhat spherical to slightly elongated in cultivation), deep green, up to 7 cm in diameter and 4-6 (or more) cm tall.

Ribs: 16-21 spiralling with low, vertical or slightly spiralled with distinct tubercles.

Tubercles: Low, flat conical in two downward spirals, in ratio 8:13.

Areoles: Circular, about 1 mm wide, white tomentose.

Spines: Approximately 25, radiating to upright, hardly distinguishable as radials and central, variable, short bristle-like, flexible, 5-10 mm long, pure white and translucent.

Flowers: It produces a larger crop of funnel-shaped pink-violet flowers, about 30 mm long and 35 mm wide. Filaments whitish, anthers yellowish. Style free to base pink with 4-5 white, spreading stigma lobes slightly protruding above the anthers.

Blooming season: Flowers all tend to come in one Spring rush, rather than spread over the Summer. It is usually one of the earliest rebutias to flower in spring.

Fruit: Spherical, yellowish red or brownish, to 5 mm in diameter.

Origin and Habitat

Garden origin (Violet flowering form)

Cultivation and Propagation

Rebutia violaciflora var. albispina is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate and recommended for beginners. The whole Rebutia minuscula complex has delightful flowers and the plants remain compact, and clumps can easily be managed by division. Another advantage is that the plants are very cold hardy in Winter if kept dry.

Growth rate: It is a slow growing but easily flowering species that will make clumps given the best conditions.

Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil with a pH slightly on the acidic side.

Repotting: This species will occupy a small flower pot comfortably and remain a manageable sized house plant, repotting should be done every other year or when the it has outgrown its pot. Use pot with good drainage.

Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater (the root system is rot prone) and allow the pot to dry out between waterings. Keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C.

Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.

Hardiness: It is reputedly resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather and requires a winter rest period (hardy to -7 C ° C, or less for short periods), but for safe cultivation it is best to avoid freezing temperatures. It does not like high temperatures in summer, and will be perfectly happy in pots outdoors from April to September if protected from torrential rain and hail

Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.

Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.

Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to and liable to damage by spider mites and thrips

but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation.

Rot: This species is particularly easy and accommodating, seldom suffer of cryptogamic diseases. Rot it is only a minor problem with rebutias if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.

Propagation: Division, direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! To make a cutting twist off a branch and permit it to dry out a couple of weeks, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.

Note: It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.

Source: Rebutia violaciflora var. albispina, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

From llifle page Rebutia edeltraudae

Description

Rebutia edeltraudae (Rebutia minuscula ssp. edeltraudianae) is an undescribed name (nomen nudum - Abbreviation n. n. A title lacking valid description). It was first named by Rainer Wahl under the field number RW 66 from the Sierra Medina, in the Argentine province of Tucuman, at an altitude of 1540 metres above sea level.

It is an yellow-orange form of Rebutia minuscula and is the same plant as Rebutia xanthocarpa. (Spelling variants comprise: edeltraudae, edeltraudianae, edeltraudii, and edeltraudei)

Origin and Habitat

Sierra Medina, in the Argentine province of Tucuman, at an altitude of 1540 metres above sea level.

Source: Rebutia edeltraudae, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.

Cultivars and forms (9)

Subspecies (2)

• Rebutia minuscula subs. edeltraudianae
• Rebutia minuscula subs. violaciflora

Varieties (1)

• Rebutia minuscula var. senilis

Forms (6)

• Rebutia minuscula f. kariusiana
• Rebutia minuscula f. knuthiana
• Rebutia minuscula f. violaciflora
• Rebutia minuscula subs. violaciflora f. kariusiana
• Rebutia minuscula subs. violaciflora f. knuthiana
• Rebutia minuscula var. minuscula f. violaciflora

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