Origin and Habitat: Southern Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Potosí and Tarija), northern Argentina (Jujuy).This species is common in the northern subpopulation.
Altitude: (3000-)3400-3800(4100) metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology: The species grows in puna on rocky soils. The only threat is urbanization close to the southern subpopulation occurring in Argentina.

• Echinopsis pugionacantha Rose & Boed.
• Lobivia pugionacantha (Rose & Boed.) Backeb.

• Echinopsis pugionacantha Rose & Boed.
• Lobivia pugionacantha (Rose & Boed.) Backeb.
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. adpressispina (F.Ritter) J.Ullmann
• Lobivia adpressispina var. F.Ritter F.Ritter
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. campicola (F.Ritter) J.Ullmann
• Lobivia campicola F.Ritter
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. cornuta (Rausch) Rausch
• Lobivia cornuta Rausch
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. corrugata Rausch
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. culpinensis (F.Ritter) Rausch
• Lobivia culpinensis F.Ritter
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. flaviflora (Backeb.)
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. salitrensis (Rausch) Rausch
• Lobivia salitrensis Rausch
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. versicolor (Rausch) Rausch
• Lobivia versicolor Rausch
• Lobivia salitrensis var. flexuosa Rausch

• Echinopsis pugionacantha subs. haemantha (Rausch) M.Lowry
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. haemantha Rausch

• Echinopsis pugionacantha subs. rossii (Boed.) G.Navarro
• Echinopsis rossii Boed.
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. rossii (Boed.) Rausch
• Lobivia rossii (Boed.) Boed. ex Backeb. & F.M.Knuth
• Echinopsis stollenwerkiana Boed.
• Lobivia pugionacantha var. stollenwerkiana (Boed.) J.Ullmann
• Lobivia rossii var. stollenwerkiana (Boed.) Backeb.
• Lobivia stollenwerkiana Boed.
• Lobivia rossii var. bustilloensis F.Ritter
• Lobivia rossii var. carminata Backeb.
• Lobivia rossii var. salmonea Backeb.
• Lobivia rossii var. sanguinea Backeb.
• Lobivia rossii var. sayariensis F.Ritter

Description: Usually simple or rarely basally branched. This species reputedly grows almost completely hidden below the soil (in habitat), and is extremely hard to find unless it is in bloom. Three subspecies are recognized, the nominate form, subsp. haemantha (Rausch) M.Lowry and subsp. rossii (Boed.) G.Navarro.
Stem: Globose, dull green, thick and growing mostly underground, but the stem of the plant in cultivation is usually globular or ovoidal and aerial. Dimension: 8-15 cm tall, 4-5 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 16 to 17, straight or spiralled.
Areoles: Oval filled, with grey wool in youth.
Radial spines: 4 to 7 (or more), flatly spreading, yellow to white with black tips, straight, subulate, dagger‑shaped, up to 3 cm (or more) long, though variable from plant to plant.
Central spines: lacking.
Roots: Long, fat, tuberose taproot.
Flower: Diurnal, scented, funnelform, yellow, pink, orange or red, up to 4,5 cm long and in diameter.
Fruits: Green, small, globose, semidry and dehiscent.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Lowry, M. & Demaio, P. 2013. Echinopsis pugionacantha. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2015.
2) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
3) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
4) 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

Cultivation and Propagation: is a summer-growing species that offers no cultivation difficulties. Water regularly in summer (but do not over-water). It is rot prone, and should be planted in a shallow pot. Like most Echinopsis cultivated for their blossoms, it needs a soil mixture that's a little richer than for the average cactus, still with excellent drainage. Keep rather dry in winter.
It is quite frost resistant if kept dry (hardy to -5°(-18°) C Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun.
Propagation: Sow directly after last frost, offsets (if available).