Xerophyte

Habit

It is solitary or few branched, but readily forming, clusters or cushions in cultivation.

Central Spines

Absent or occasionally one.

Roots

Carrot-like.

Note

Rebutia steinbachiiSN|5221]]SN|5221]] var. pampagrandensis is apparently a neotenic variety of the species in which juvenile spination is retained throughout the life of the plant, while many of the other varieties are dimorphic (short spined juvenile forms transform at maturity to strongly spined forms).

Tubercles

Conical conspicuous.

Flowers

Rarely more than 3,5 cm long and 4,5 in diameter, mauve to burgundy red with a silky sheen (occasionally yellow with reddish tones on the outside), numerous in a ring at the base of the plant.

Blooming Season

Spring (April - May) and remain open for up to five days.

Spines

About 20-25 creamy-white or yellowish (sometime brownish to almost black.) pectinate, addpressed to slightly spreading and somewhat curved against the body.

Ribs

12-26, spiralling, forming rhomboid tubercles.

Stem

Single heads 30–50 mm wide, flattened-globose or globose and somehow apically depressed, grey-green, lighter than type, almost hidden under the covering of spines..

Areoles

White or yellowish, long, narrow 3-6 long, 1,5-2 mm large.