Lobivia hertrichiana

Lobivia hertrichiana is a species of Lobivia found in Bolivia and Peru.

Description
Lobivia hertrichiana grows singly or forms groups. The spherical, shiny medium to light green shoots reach a diameter of up to 10 cm. There are about eleven sharp ribs that are grooved transversely, with circular, white areoles. The single, upwardly curved central spine is straw-colored and up to 2.5 cm long. The six to eight spreading, yellowish-brown marginal spines are up to 1.5 cm long.

The short, funnel-shaped, flowers open widely during the day, are up to 6 cm long and 7 cm in diameter. They are colored in various shades of bright red and often have a whitish throat. They produce small, spherical fruits.

Distribution
Lobivia hertrichiana is widespread in the Cusco region of Peru, western Bolivia, and the Chilean province of Iquique at altitudes of 3000 to 3500 meters.

Taxonomy
The first description by Curt Backeberg was published in 1933. The specific epithet hertrichiana honors the American William Hertrich (1878–1966) and curator of the Huntington Botanical Gardens in California. Nomenclature synonyms are Lobivia backebergii subsp. hertrichiana (Backeb.) Rausch (1975), Lobivia backebergii var. hertrichiana (Backeb.) Rausch (1975), Neolobivia hertrichiana (Backeb.) F.Ritter (1981), Lobivia backebergii subsp. hertrichiana (Backeb.) Rausch ex G.D. Rowley (1982) and Echinopsis hertrichiana (Backeb.) D.R.Hunt (1991). In addition, numerous other taxa were included as synonyms in the variable species.