Origin and Habitat: Tarija, Bolivia
Altitude: around 1900 metres a.s.l.

• Lobivia tiegeliana var. pusilla (F.Ritter) Rausch
• Hymenorebutia pusilla (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Lobivia pusilla F.Ritter

• Echinopsis tiegeliana (Wessner) D.R.Hunt
• Hymenorebutia tiegeliana (Wessner) F.Ritter
• Lobivia tiegeliana Wessner
• Echinopsis fricii (Rausch) Friedrich
• Lobivia fricii Rausch
• Lobivia tiegeliana var. fricii (Rausch) Rausch
• Echinopsis tiegeliana f. cristata hort.
• Lobivia tiegeliana f. cristata hort.
• Echinopsis tiegeliana f. variegata hort.
• Lobivia tiegeliana f. variegata hort.
• Lobivia pusilla f. aurea hort.
• Lobivia pusilla f. cristata hort.
• Lobivia tiegeliana f. albiflora (Krainz) Krainz
• Lobivia peclardiana var. albiflora Krainz
• Lobivia tiegeliana (Krainz) Krainz non Wessner
• Lobivia tiegeliana f. dimorphipetala (F.Ritter) J.Ullmann
• Hymenorebutia tiegeliana var. dimorphipetala F.Ritter
• Lobivia tiegeliana var. distefanoana Cullmann & F.Ritter
• Hymenorebutia tiegeliana var. distefanoiana (Cullmann & F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Lobivia tiegeliana var. flaviflora (F.Ritter) Rausch
• Hymenorebutia pusilla f. flaviflora (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Lobivia pusilla f. flaviflora F.Ritter
• Lobivia tiegeliana var. peclardiana (Krainz) Krainz
• Lobivia peclardiana Krainz
• Lobivia tiegeliana var. pusilla (F.Ritter) Rausch
• Hymenorebutia pusilla (F.Ritter) F.Ritter
• Lobivia pusilla F.Ritter
• Lobivia tiegeliana var. ruberrima Rausch
• Hymenorebutia tiegeliana var. ruberrima (Rausch) F.Ritter
• Lobivia tiegeliana var. uriondoensis Rausch
• Lobivia tiegeliana Rausch non Wessner
• Lobivia tiegeliana f. winteriae (Krainz) Krainz
• Lobivia peclardiana var. winteriae Krainz
• Mediolobivia hirsutissima Cárdenas

Description: Echinopsis tiegelianaSN|20965]]SN|20965]] var. pusilla firstly described as Lobivia pusillaSN|20978]]SN|20978]] is an hight altitude form of the wide ranging and very variable Echinopsis tiegelianaSN|20965]]SN|20965]] distinguished by smaller stems only 40 mm tall and shorter spines. It is one of the smaller plants in the genus.
Taxonomy notes: The differences with other Echinopsis tiegelianaSN|20965]]SN|20965]] are in reality very minimal and most botanist agree on the fact that var. pusilla should be included in the Echinopsis tiegelianaSN|20965]]SN|20965]]. The segregation of the many forms, varieties, and subspecies on the basis of spines morphology and flowers colour, however, is difficult to support, given the continuous range of variation in spination and flower colour over its geographic range. The great variability of Echinopsis tiegelianaSN|20965]]SN|20965]] is due to the fact that cross pollination among different forms and different species (in habitat and in collections) is very frequent and it can be quite difficult to determine what is the "pure type" and the cross.
Stems: Green to dark green, spherical more or less flattened usually less than 4 cm tall in habitat (but often larger in cultivation). It has up to 20 ribs, with raised tubercles between which the areoles appear. The tubercles are spirally arranged on the stem's surface. In nature plants usually grow flat with the ground most of the year, contracting under the soil to endure drought periods. In culture plants grow larger forming depressed round stems.
Root: Turnip-like, fleshy with numerous lateral fine fibrous roots.
Spines: Arranged like little spiders, cream coloured, yellowish or brownish, turning greyish eventually.
Flowers: Mostly deep pink, red, purple, but also yellow, orange or white.
Blooming season: Mature plants produce several waves of blooms over the growing season.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” Courier Dover Publications, 1963
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 Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
4) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
5) Clive Innes, Charles Glass “Cacti” Portland House, 01/May/1991

Cultivation and Propagation: This is a a much decorative frost hardy cactus easily found in cultivation. It is a summer grower species that offers no cultivation difficulties.
Soil: Use a very a particularly draining slightly acidic or neutral substratum, as it is very sensitive to rottenness when in presence of humidity and low temperatures and let the soil dry out between waterings.
Repotting: Repot in the spring, when their roots become cramped. Generally, they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. After repotting, do not water for a week or more. Needs a large pot to accommodate a large root system.
Water: In summer, during the vegetative period, it must be regularly watered, but allowing the substratum to completely dry up before irrigating again (but do not overwater ); in winter, it’s to be kept dry. Preferable not to water on overcast days, humid days or cold winter days.
Hardiness: It is a quite frost resistant cactus, hardy to -5° C (- 12° C if very dry). However in cultivation it is better not to expose it to temperatures lower than -0° C, even if in an aerated and protected location, in order to avoid the formation of anti-aesthetic spots on the epidermis. In presence of high atmospheric humidity avoid any frost as it is particularly sensitive to root rot. As these are high-elevation plants, they don't like to get overheated.
Exposure: Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun, but, as a former mountain dweller, does not care for extremely high temperatures in summer.
Use: It is suitable for small “desert” gardens, in association with other xerophytes. Where the open air cultivation is not possible due to the climate, it is to be cultivated in pot in order to shelter it in winter.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost or by offsets (if available), provided left drying up well, in summer.