Accepted Scientific Name: Rebutia spegazziniana Backeb.
Kakteen-Freunde ii. No. 1, (1933); Backeb. Blatter Kakteenforsch. 1934, Pr. 2,[p. 8].
Rebutia spegazziniana var. atroviridis Photo by: Peiffer Clement
Origin and Habitat: Higher Andes of Southern Bolivia (Tarija) and Argentina (Salta and Jujuy)
Altitude range: 2500-3000(-3700) metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology: The species occurs on rocky lands in seasonally dry inter-Andean valleys. In Bolivia it is found growing together with Sulcorebutia tarijensis.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Rebutia spegazziniana
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Rebutia spegazziniana Backeb.Kakteen-Freunde ii. No. 1, (1933); Backeb. Blatter Kakteenforsch. 1934, Pr. 2,[p. 8].Synonymy: 35
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Description: Rebutia spegazziniana var. atroviridisSN|5033]]SN|28330]], described by C. Backeberg as Aylostera spegazzinianaSN|5034]]SN|5034]] var. atroviridis in 1951, is a local or morphological form of the very variable Rebutia spegazzinianaSN|4932]]SN|5033]] with darker bluish grey-green skin, and lighter, weaker spines which clearly differentiate it from the nominate species that usually has somewhat coarser and more brown spines obscuring the green or yellowish-green stems. Rebutia spegazziniana var. atroviridisSN|28330]]SN|28330]] is variable and has also at times been referred to a darker form of Rebutia fiebrigiiSN|5033]]SN|4932]]. Anyway (whatever the scientific name is) this easy to grow cactus is highly priced for its vibrant dark red blooms.
Habit: It is a tiny solitary or clustered cactus, branching at ground level to form low dense groups or mounds up to 15 cm wide. It grows quite close to the ground and offsets only with age. It would appear that in cultivation it grows larger and clusters more vigorously than in habitat.
Stems: Individual heads 6-9( or more) cm high, 2-5 cm in diameter, globose to flattened globose (sometime short-cylindrical in cultivation). The colour of the epidermis is dark bluish grey-green , often with violet tints in full sun.
Ribs: About 18, forming prominent tubercles.
Areoles: Small, white.
Spines: Short glass-white with darker tips, bristly, awl-shaped to needle-like.
Central spines: (0-)1-6, yellow with brown tips, to 3 mm long.
Radial spines: All straight, flattened against the stem surface, as many as 14, up to 4 mm long, yellowish, sometimes with brown tips.
Flowers: Diurnal, borne on the stems' side near ground level, 2,5 to 4 cm long and in diameter, bright red. Stigma lobes are pale greenish, anthers are cream coloured.
Fruits: Globose, reddish green.
Seeds: Black, about 1,2 mm long, 0,8 x 0,7 mm wide, elongate oval, with a more curved dorsal side, testa with small, tubercles, hilum basal brownish.
Roots: Tap root.
Remarks: Rebutia spegazzinianaSN|28330]]SN|5033]] is a widespread and variable species that has received an undue number of names. The differences usually concern only the spination, however the colouring, size and density 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 darker tint. Minor differences can also be found in the colour of flowers sometime with a more pink or orange tint.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Rebutia spegazziniana group
- Rebutia froehlichiana Rausch
- Rebutia fusca F.Ritter: has tiny bristle spines and vibrant orange-red flower. Distribution: Oruro, Tarija, Bolivia.
- Rebutia mamillosa Rausch: has dark greenish brown bodies becoming bronzed purple in full sun and forms small clumps of small heads around 20 mm across. Flowers dark red, ca. 2,5 cm in diameter with showy white stamens. Distribution: west of Camargo and adjacent areas, Chuquisaca, Bolivia.
- Rebutia mamillosa var. australis F.Ritter: has bodies 20-30 mm wide, 10-15 ribs, 12-20 radial spines, 3-6 mm long and 0-4 centrals equal in length. Flowers 26-46 mm long with white filaments. Distribution: Habitat, San Antonio, Prov. Mendez, Bolivia.
- Rebutia mamillosa var. orientalis F.Ritter: has areoles abundantly filled with white wool, 0-4 radial spines, 5-7 mm long, darker at base. Distribution: Tarija towards the south, Bolivia.
- Rebutia patericalyx F.Ritter: has vibrant orange-red flower and tiny bristle spines covered by tiny hairs. Distribution: La Queva, Chuquisaca, Bolivia.
- Rebutia rubiginosa F.Ritter
- Rebutia spegazziniana Backeb.: widespread and variable species that will clump with age and produces large and beautiful bright red flowers. Distribution: Bolivia and Argentina.
- Rebutia spegazziniana var. atroviridis (Backeb.) Šída: has darker bluish grey-green skin and lighter, weaker spines. Blooms dark red. Distribution: Bolivia and Argentina.
- Rebutia spegazziniana var. boliviensis n.n., Rausch
- Rebutia sumayana Rausch
- Rebutia tarijensis Rausch
- Rebutia tarvitaensis F.Ritter: has grey-green to olive-green epidermis with violet tints and orange-red blooms. Distribution: Tarvita, Chuquisaca, Bolivia.
- Rebutia tuberosa F.Ritter
- Rebutia vulpina F.Ritter: Flowers are bright red, the petals tipped scarlet, stigma and stamens white. Distribution: Bolivia, Tarija, Mendez, west of Tarija.
- Rebutia zecheri Rausch
Notes: It would appear that in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.
Bibliography: Major referneces and further lectures
1) Walther Haage “Cacti and succulents: a practical handbook” Dutton, 1963
2) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
3) 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
4) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
5) 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,
6) Curt Backeberg: “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde” Volume V, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart New York 1982–1985
Rebutia spegazziniana var. atroviridis Photo by: Julio C. García Rebutia spegazziniana var. atroviridis Photo by: Julio C. García Rebutia spegazziniana var. atroviridis Photo by: Peiffer Clement Send a photo of this plant.The gallery now contains thousands of pictures, however it is possible to do even more. We are, of course, seeking photos of species not yet shown in the gallery but not only that, we are also looking for better pictures than those already present.
Read More... Cultivation and Propagation: It is easy to grow and recommended for beginners. Prefer gritty, porous mix with a pH slightly on the acidic side. Full sun to light shade, Water regularly 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 Hardy to -4°C it will take low temperatures when dry and do require a winter rest period. This species will occupy a small flower pot comfortably and remain a manageable sized house plant.
Pest and disease: This plants are subject to mealy-bug attack and to fungus and rot problems brought about by overwatering and high humidity.
Propagation: Seed or offsets.