This is a unusual but very eye-catching species, even without its magenta flowers, due to the plant being so highly coloured in green and purple and for the beautiful small dark pectinaded spines .
 

Floral tube funnelform yellowish-green with tan coloured scales.

Morphology (Identifying Characteristics):
Habit: Miniature clustering species (rarely solitary), readily forms clumps of many heads
Stem: individual stems 2(4) cm tall, 3(5) cm in diameter. The stem is covered by flat tubercles (5mm wide) which vary in colour between dark green and violet. In older plants tubercles are arranged in up to 16 spiral line merging in the apex.
Areoles : Long narrow with short white felt.
Spines:  9-11 short black radial spines, 1 to 2 mm long, pointing diagonally and downward, completely flattened against the tubercles, they take the characteristic form of a fishbone.
Roots: Conical
Flower: 20 - 50 mm long, 35 - 50 mm wide; floral tube funnel-shaped yellowish green with tan coloured scales, tepals deep magenta with a clearer throat.
Fruit: Reddish brown, 4 - 5 mm wide.
Phenology: Blossoming time:  late spring.

Cultivation: Very difficult to find high quality plants of this species in cultivation, S. rauschii loves a very permeable, coarse mineral soil  as well as to be strictly kept dry throughout  the winter quiescent period since it is very sensitive to any moisture excesses, To prevent rottenness it is also advisable to surround its root neck by very rough sand or grit, this help a fast water drainage and an appropriate air circulation.
For its sensitive roots this species is frequently grafted to avoid root problems. Plants grafted on Opuntia compressa are easy to grow and quite frost hardy -5 (-10)° C
Watering Needs: Water moderately in the growing season, keep dry during  the winter rest
Frost Tolerance:  Overwinter  in a cool place (at 0/10°C)  this is important for the flowers as well as for plants health. Without this cool winter period they normally wont get any buds.
Propagation: Seed, cutting, grafting
Sun Exposure: Needs a full sun exposure ( light shadow my be useful in the hottest summer days)

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Sulcorebutia rauschii.

• S. rauschii
• S. rauschii HS121-1
• S. rauschii cv. Apple green
• S. rauschii cv. Violacidermis
• S. rauschii cv. Yellow spines
• S. rauschii forma cristata

Distribution: Sucre, Chuquisaca, Bolivia

Masses of gorgeous deep violet  flowers in late spring.