Origin and Habitat: Argentina (Salta) Grows on mountain slopes.

• Acanthocalycium thionanthum var. copiapoides Piltz

• Echinopsis thionantha (Speg.) D.R.Hunt
• Acanthocalycium thionanthum (Speg.) Backeb.
• Echinocactus thionanthus Speg.
• Lobivia thionantha (Speg.) Britton & Rose
• Acanthocalycium thionanthum var. brevispinum n.n.
• Acanthocalycium catamarcense F.Ritter
• Lobivia thionantha var. catamarcensis (F.Ritter) Rausch
• Acanthocalycium griseum Backeb.
• Acanthocalycium thionanthum var. copiapoides Piltz
• Acanthocalycium thionanthum var. munitum (Rausch) J.G.Lamb.
• Acanthocalycium minutum F.Ritter
• Lobivia thionantha var. munita Rausch
• Echinopsis brevispina (F.Ritter) H.Friedrich & G.D.Rowley
• Acanthocalycium brevispinum F.Ritter
• Lobivia thionantha var. brevispina (F.Ritter) Rausch
• Echinopsis chionantha (Speg.) Werderm.
• Acanthocalycium chionanthum (Speg.) Backeb. in Backeb. & F.M.Knuth
• Echinocactus chionanthum Speg.
• Lobivia chionantha (Speg.) Britton & Rose

Description: Usually solitary or slowly branching through basal shoots, but quite variable taxon with several forms.
There are a number of varieties of this highly variable cactus species, but not all are universally recognized.
Stem: Spherical, over time it becomes slightly cylindrical, growing to a height of 12 cm or more, and a diameter of 6 to 10 cm. The epidermis is green to dark blue grey, and become a clear powdery-grey in the older part of the stem (like some Copiapoa) The variety "copiapoides" has comparatively clearer grey-blue epidermis .
Ribs: About 9-15.
Areoles: At the apex of tubercles, at first are covered with yellowish-brown felt. The flower part of the areola is elongated, while the upper part curves around the sides of the rib, more or less in the shape of a small shield. As the tubercles widen in the course of growth, the areoles become elliptical and almost glabrous.
Spines: 5 to 10 radial spines and 1 to 4 central spines, they are all more or less of the same length in a given plant (± 0,5 -3 cm.), but this species appears to be very variable regarding the length colour and number of spines in different populations. They are usually black or light brown at first, becoming grey or whitish-yellow as they age

Flowers:: Bell-shaped, 5 cm. long or less on lateral areoles, and the segments of the perianth are sulphur or lemon-yellow (but also white, orange or red), They have very hairy buds, The floral tubes have brown-white hairs /bristles and dark spine-tipped scales.

Cultivation and Propagation: Echinopsis thionanthaSN|5]]SN|5]] var. copiapoides is an easy to grow succulent, more cold tolerant than most and less fussy regarding soil conditions.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing and easily flowering species.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil.
Repotting: Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Hardiness: Reputedly somewhat resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -12 C ° C, or less for short periods).
Exposition: Outside bright but filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants!