Yavia cryptocarpa

The species, with very tuberous roots, has a subglobular stem, has a cylindrical to inverted cone-shaped, compressed at the apex and wider at the top than at the bottom, green plant body that reaches heights of between 0.5 and 1.5 cm (0.59 in) and a diameter of 1.3 to 2.5 cm (0.51 to 0.98 in) (rarely 3 cm (1.2 in)). Its general appearance is quite flattened and the upper part protrudes slightly from the ground. It measures from 3 to 4 cm (1.2 to 1.6 in) in height by about 2 to 3 cm (0.79 to 1.18 in) in width. The areoles are arranged on the tubers and have between 8 and 15 pectinated spines about 1 to 5 mm (0.039 to 0.197 in) long. From them arise 8 to 15 pink-colored thorns, which become glassy-white with age. The flowers are pale pink although they can be white or pale purple. They measure 1 cm (0.39 in) long by about 2 cm (0.79 in) wide. The flower cup, which is up to 5 mm (0.20 in) long and 2 mm (0.079 in) wide, is bare. Perianth is cone-shaped. The outer, olive petals are spatulate, 4 mm (0.16 in) long and 2.5 mm (0.098 in) wide. The inner, lanceolate, 6 to 7 mm (0.24 to 0.28 in) long and 3 to 4 mm (0.12 to 0.16 in) wide petals are white to pink with a whitish edge. Flowering is diurnal and occurs at the end of spring. …

Yavia cryptocarpa is widespread in the north of the Argentine province of Jujuy in the border area with Bolivia at altitudes of around 3700 meters.