ARGENTINENSIS var. ARGENTINENSIS

Type : Balls 5960, collected at Tilcara (2900 m), Dept. Tilcara, Prov. Jujuy, Argentina, Feb 9, 1939.

Distribution : Argentina : Prov. Jujuy, Dept. Tilcara, Tumbaya, Valle Grande, Humahuaca, in the northern range of the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes of NW Argentina, growing on cracks of massive rocks, 2700 - 3600 m.

Description :

A succulent, glabrous herb.

Roots widely tuberous.

Stem short, simple, 0.3 - 0.8 (-2.5) cm long.

Rosette generally simple, 3.5 - 7.5 (-10) cm in diameter.

Leaves 8 - 14, narrowly ovate to sublanceolate,2 - 4 (-6) cm long, 0.9 - 1.8 cm wide at middle, 3 - 4 mm thick, upper side slightly concave to subcanaliculate, lower side subcarinate, apex acute to cuspidate, light dark green, reddish at keel and margins near tip.

Flowering stem a lateral raceme, 25 - 45 (-65) cm long, dark red, bracts narrowly lanceolate, 1 - 2.5 cm long, 5 - 6 mm wide, light to bright green, pedicels 0.6 - 1.5 cm long with 1 - 2 small bractlets at the middle, dark red.

Flowers 9 - 15, sepals united at base, unequal, 4 - 6 mm long, not appressed, dark green, reddish at tips, corolla urceolate, 1.2 - 1.5 cm long and 0.7 - 0.8 cm wide near base, 0.4 - 0.5 cm wide at apex, salmon red below, orangish-yellow above.

Flowering time : January - March.