Origin and Habitat: Nazca-Puquio road (Andes, south of Peru) at about 4,100 meters above sea level. Matucana multicolorSN|5929]]SN|5929]] grows at the most southerly and also the highest location for matucana.
Habitat and ecology: Matucana multicolorSN|5929]]SN|5929]] grows together with Oreocereus hendriksenianusSN|3828]]SN|3828]] and Oreocereus hendriksenianusSN|3828]]SN|3828]] v. densilanatus.

• Matucana multicolor Rauh & Backeb. in Backeb.

• Matucana haynei (Otto) Britton & Rose
• Arequipa haynii (Otto) Krainz in Krainz
• Borzicactus haynei (Otto) Kimnach
• Cereus haynii (Otto) Croucher
• Echinocactus haynii Otto
• Matucana blancii Backeb.
• Borzicactus haynei var. blancii (Backeb.) Donald
• Matucana breviflora Rauh & Backeb. in Backeb.
• Borzicactus haynei var. breviflora (Rauh & Backeb.) Donald
• Matucana multicolor var. breviflora (Rauh & Backeb.) F.Ritter
• Matucana calocephala Skarupke
• Borzicactus calocephalus (Skarupke) Donald
• Matucana cereoides Rauh & Backeb. in Backeb.
• Matucana crinifera F.Ritter
• Matucana crinifera f. cristata hort.
• Matucana elongata Rauh & Backeb. in Backeb.
• Matucana haynei var. elongata (Rauh & Backeb.) F.Ritter
• Matucana haynei var. erectipetala Rauh & Backeb.
• Arequipa haynii var. erectipetala (Rauh & Backeb.) Krainz in Krainz
• Matucana megalantha F.Ritter
• Borzicactus aurantiacus var. megalanthus (F.Ritter) Donald
• Matucana multicolor Rauh & Backeb. in Backeb.
• Matucana supertexta F.Ritter
• Matucana variabilis Rauh & Backeb. in Backeb.
• Borzicactus variabilis (Rauh & Backeb.) Donald
• Matucana variabilis var. fuscata Rauh & Backeb.
• Matucana villarica n.n.
• Matucana winteri F.Ritter
• Matucana yanganucensis Rauh & Backeb. in Backeb.

• Matucana haynei subs. herzogiana (Backeb.) Mottram
• Matucana herzogiana Backeb.
• Matucana herzogiana var. perplexa Backeb.
• Borzicactus haynei var. perplexa (Backeb.) Donald
• Matucana haynei var. perplexa hort.

• Matucana haynei subs. hystrix (Rauh & Backeb.) Mottram
• Borzicactus haynei var. hystrix (Rauh & Backeb.) Donald
• Matucana hystrix Rauh & Backeb.
• Matucana multicolor var. hystrix (Rauh & Backeb.) F.Ritter
• Matucana haynei subs. hystrix var. atrispina Rauh & Backeb.
• Borzicactus haynei var. atrispina (Rauh & Backeb.) Donald
• Matucana hystrix var. atrispina Rauh & Backeb.

• Matucana haynei subs. myriacantha (Vaupel) Mottram
• Arequipa myriacantha Britton & Rose
• Borzicactus myriacanthus (Vaupel) Donald
• Borzicactus weberbaueri var. myriacanthus (Vaupel) Donald
• Echinocactus myriacanthus Vaupel
• Matucana myriacantha (Vaupel) Buxb.
• Submatucana myriacantha (Vaupel) Backeb.
• Matucana comacephala F.Ritter
• Matucana huarinensis hort.
• Matucana huarinensis var. brevispina hort.
• Matucana huarinensis var. brunispina hort.
• Matucana myriacantha f. purpureoalba (F.Ritter) Lodé
• Matucana purpureoalba F.Ritter
• Matucana myriacantha f. roseoalba (hort., F.Ritter) Lodé
• Matucana roseoalba hort., F.Ritter

Description: Matucana multicolorSN|1080]]SN|5929]] is one of the local or morphological form of Matucana hayneiSN|5929]]SN|1080]] that varies a lot from one valley to another. Matucana multicolorSN|5929]]SN|5929]] are typical highland Matucanas distinguished by a dense multicoloured spination. The radial spines vary from stout to fine bristles, similarly for the central spines. The colour of the central spines ranges from amber, to black-brown, to black-violet, or nearly white. However the distinguishing characteristics of Matucana multicolorSN|1080]]SN|5929]], appear to fall within the natural variation of Matucana hayneiSN|5929]]SN|1080]] and most authors have dismissed multicolor as perhaps not worthy of even varietal status, but it still has a value for a collector because they identify plants with particular characters.
Derivation of specific name: multicolor = "multicoloured", for the variable colour of the spines of the species.
Stems: Fairly large, globular to cylindrical, up to 15(or 20) cm in diameter and 30 (to 40) cm in height. In habitat M. multicolor may forms solitary stems, but more often tends to form clumps. Whether this is a natural form or caused through injury of the growing tip by animals is it not clear. In the valleys Matucanas often grow much longer, hanging from the rocks, like a curved pipe.
Ribs: About 14.
Spines: Very variable, multicoloured.
Radial spines: Numerous, interlaced, pectinated, up to 2 cm long, very variable, from stout to fine bristles and range from whitish-grey to pure white.
Central spines: 2 to 4 longer and more robust up to 7 cm long, variable from, amber yellow, to honey or nearly white, tip black-brown, black-violet, or black purple.
Flowers: Apical 5 (to 7) cm long, red carmine.
Fruits: Up to 1.5 cm length.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Hans Hecht “Cacti & succulents” Sterling Pub. Co., 1997
2) Alain Beullens “Matucana” web: http://cactusquipique.free.fr/docs/livrets/matucana.pdf
3) Joël Lodé. “Matucana haynei (multicolor) 1683” Edisud. Aix, 1996. web: https://www.cactuspro.com/biblio_fichiers/pdf/Lode/LodeC-Floribunda-Myrtillocactus_O.pdf
4) A. Ellinger “Southern Peru '85” in: The Chileans, Volume 13 Number 43

Cultivation and Propagation: Matucana multicolorSN|5929]]SN|5929]] is a summer-growing species of relatively easy cultivation. This plant is adapted to dry soils and is quite susceptible to over-watering if kept in a non ventilated place.
Growth rate: Matucanas grow slowly in their natural habitats, but in greenhouses they grow more quickly.
Soil: Grow it in a rich, open, sandy-gritty cactus compost. It needs good drainage and a deep pot to accommodate its tap root.
Repotting: Repot in the spring when the roots become cramped. Generally, these plants should be re-potted every other year, in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they'll need larger containers. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.
Exposure: It is suited for sunny-brightly exposure, but can tolerate light shade. However it will do its best only with lots of sun and become stressed with inadequate light which could result in poor growth and unnatural shape. Direct sun is also beneficial in order to get a good spine colouration.
Watering: Water sparingly and keep it completely dry during winter. Mature individuals easily rot and die especially after transplanting so be extremely cautious with watering. Keep dry in winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. Water it less than average if in bigger pots.
Fertilization: Feed them once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They thrive in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Special need: It is suited for airy exposures. Provide very good ventilation. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation, especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. They must have very dry atmosphere.
Hardiness: It likes warmth (recommended minimum winter temperature 5° C) But plants kept perfectly dry but may to survive a light frost.
Pests & diseases: These cacti 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: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new leaves and flowers with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales, thrips and aphids: These insects are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Usually propagated from seeds (seldom produces offsets). The seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sandy soil, any time during the spring when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the 1-2 weeks cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shade-cloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted after which they can be planted separately in small pots.