Origin and Habitat: Bolivia (Near Tarija (Jucanas) on the road to Narvaez)
Habitat: It grows in mountainous areas at an altitude around 2500 m 3000 m over sea level

• Rebutia heliosa Rausch
• Aylostera heliosa (Rausch) Mosti & Papini

• Rebutia heliosa Rausch
• Aylostera heliosa (Rausch) Mosti & Papini
• Rebutia densipectinata KK849 f.ma brevispina hort.
• Rebutia heliosa var. melanistic KK849 cv. Short Spines hort.
• Rebutia densipectinata KK849 Jucanas, Tarija, Bolivia 2800m (3000m) Kníže non F.Ritter
• Aylostera densipectinata KK489 Jucanas, Tarija, Bolivia 2800m (3000m) (Kníže) hort.
• Aylostera heliosa var. melanistic KK489 Jucanas, Tarija, Bolivia 2800m (3000m) (Kníže) hort.
• Rebutia heliosa var. melanistic KK849 Jucanas, Tarija, Bolivia (2800-3000 m) (Kníže) hort.
• Sulcorebutia densipectinata KK489 (Kníže) hort.
• Aylostera heliosa subs. cajasensis (Donald) Mosti & Papini
• Rebutia heliosa var. cajasensis Donald
• Rebutia heliosa subs. cajasensis (Donald) Říha & Šeda
• Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis Donald
• Aylostera condorensis (Donald) hort.
• Aylostera heliosa subs. condorensis (Donald) Mosti & Papini
• Aylostera heliosa var. condorensis hort.
• Mediolobivia heliosa var. condorensis hort.
• Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis f. cristata hort.
• Rebutia heliosa f. cristata hort.
• Rebutia heliosa f. monstruosa hort.
• Rebutia heliosa var. solisioides hort.
• Aylostera heliosa var. solisioides
• Mediolobivia heliosa var. solisioides
• Rebutia solisioides Kníže
• Rebutia heliosa subs. teresae Kníže, Říha & Šeda
• Aylostera heliosa subs. theresae hort.
• Aylostera theresae hort.
• Rebutia heliosa var. teresae (Kníže, Říha & Šeda) hort.
• Rebutia teresae Kníže
• Rebutia teresae var. flavida hort.
• Aylostera deminuta var. teresae f. flavida hort.

• Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis cv. albispina hort.
• Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis cv. brunispina hort.
• Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis cv. rubrispina hort.
• Rebutia heliosa cv. Yellow

Description: Rebutia heliosaSN|5204]]SN|5204]] (Aylostera heliosaSN|5205]]SN|5205]]) is a small cactus with heads densely covered covered in brown areoles with white short pectinate spines, giving it a silvery appearance. This odd cactus is unmistakable and very distinctive. It is considered by many one of the nicest species.
Habit:It is essentially a miniature plant simple at first, that readily forms a clustering mound of tiny heads.
Stem: Heads compressed spherical to shortly cylindrical 2,5 cm wide, rarely higher than 3 cm or more.
Areoles: Small, brown and narrow, elongated 1-2 mm long, less than 0,5 mm broad, forming 35-40 spirals.
Spines: 24-26 all radials, short, about 1 mm long, distinctively silvery-white, dense, spreading laterally and pectinate, covering almost completely the small stems in a spiral pattern.
Roots: Fleshy tap root.
Flower: Large, funnel-shaped, long-necked, 4 cm in diameter, 4,5-5,5 cm long, orange-red. Tube up to 3 cm long 2-3 mm across, solid for more than half its length, deep rose to orange pink. Tepals orange with lilac mid-stripe.
Phenology: It flowers profusely in spring. (Rebutias are self-fertilizing but aylosteras are not, and the latter can be fooled by introducing foreign pollen and then re-pollinating with its own pollen.)
Fruit: 4 mm in diameter, deep crimson to purple.
Seeds: Hemispheric to helmet-shaped. black, papillate.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) 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
2) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
3) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
4) Willy Cullmann; Gerhard Groner; Erich Gotz “The Encyclopedia of Cacti” Alpha Books 1986
5) Roger Spencer “Horticultural Flora of South-Eastern Australia: Flowering Plants” UNSW Press, 01/gen/1995

Cultivation and Propagation: These plants come from mountainous areas, so like bright light, cool and dry conditions in the winter; this is important for the flowers as well as for their health. Without this cool winter period (0-10° C) they normally won't get many buds. They have a thick taproot and are of difficult cultivation and rot prone because of a great sensitivity to the excess of watering, not easy to get to any large size on their own roots really a challenge to grow into a large clump. They are commonly grafted to avoid root problems and to make easier to grow. Sun Exposure: Suited for sunny-brightly exposure; can tolerate light shade.
Cultural Practices: Suited for airy exposures. Needs deep pot and good drainage to accommodate its tap root.
It is very cold resistant as low as to -10° C or less for short periods of time. It is a fine plant for a rock garden or container, contrasts well with agaves, yuccas, and low-growing flowering plants.
Pests & diseases: Rebutia heliosaSN|5204]]SN|5204]] is especially prone to root rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost.
Propagation: Cutting as it branches freely from the base; Also can be grown from seeds or graft. Seeds can be sown in the spring or summer. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots.