Origin and Habitat: Endemic to Central and Northern Argentina and occurs in Salta (Prope Molinos, S of Cachi), San Juan (Sierra Pié de Palo), La Rioja, Catamarca and Western Tucumán.
Altitude: 550-2000 m
Habitat: It grows scattered on rocky mountain slopes in the eastern foothills of the Andes but in sometimes large local populations rather widespread.

• Tephrocactus weberi (Speg.) Backeb.
• Opuntia weberi Speg.
• Ursopuntia textoris P.V.Heath
• Weberiopuntia weberi (Speg.) Frič in Kreuz.

• Tephrocactus weberi (Speg.) Backeb.
• Opuntia weberi Speg.
• Ursopuntia textoris P.V.Heath
• Weberiopuntia weberi (Speg.) Frič in Kreuz.
• Tephrocactus weberi var. diminutus Rausch
• Ursopuntia textoris var. deminuta (Rausch) P.V.Heath
• Tephrocactus weberi var. dispar (A.Cast. & H.V.Lelong)
• Opuntia weberi var. dispar A.Cast. & H.V.Lelong
• Ursopuntia textoris var. dispar (A.Cast. & H.V.Lelong) P.V.Heath
• Tephrocactus weberi var. setiger (Backeb.) Backeb.
• Opuntia setigera (Backeb.) W.T.Marshall
• Tephrocactus setiger Backeb.
• Ursopuntia textoris var. setiger (Backeb.) P.V.Heath

Description: It is a small shrubby species branching both basally and above that will eventually develop into a moderately large, open clump up to 20 cm tall and will reward the patient gardener with a display of yellow. It is quite variable.
Stem segments: Cylindrical 3-10 cm long and 2 cm thick.
Tubercles: Closely set, well distinct but not raised.
Areoles: Small with few pale red glochids.
Spines: 5-10, more or less flexible, needlelike, rather interlacing, up to 5 cm long, yellow or reddish, upper ones more erect, lower ones usually thinner and add-pressed against the stem surface.( the var. “deminutus” and “dispar” have creamy-white bristly spines)
Flowers: From stem tips, bright lemon yellow or (less frequently) golden yellow up to 3 cm long, pericarpels tuberculate, bristly and short; style yellow; stigma green to reddish. An orange flowering forms “var. deminutus” is reported from near Salta and a pink flowering population has been found in San Juan, on the southern part of the taxon areal.
Fruits: Flattish, tuberculate, dry, thin walled and bristly.
seeds: margin is extended into large lobes resembling human ears
Remarks: As in other tephrocacti, “Tephrocactus weberiSN|7330]]SN|23592]]” propagates itself by fragmentation of its joined stems, although the joint are not as easily caducous as in other taxa (e.g., Tephrocactus articulatusSN|23592]]SN|7330]]).

Cultivation and Propagation: It is easy to grow but usually couldn’t get very tall as segment kept falling apart. It is fairly cold resistant and hardy to -9°C depending on the clone, Need full sun, (with insufficient illumination stems get thinner as a result of the lack of sun) The main growing period is spring. It might produce some new segments in the autumn too. Needs good drainage.
Propagation: Propagation is through segment cuttings, or occasionally seeds. Cuttings, it suckers profusely and is very easy to grow by just knocking off one of the 'joint' and stuffing it in the ground.
Note: The little glochids at the areoles are quite a nuisance, and it is best to use gloves to handle this plant.