Islaya

According to Anderson 2001, all of the former genus Islaya has been merged as a highly variable Eriosyce islayensis (C.F. Förster) Katterman.

Mescaline present in trace amounts (0.0017% in dry plant)

Origin: Found in southern Peru (above Mollendo, dept. of Arequipa). [Named for the town of Islaya.]

Habitat: Arid, dry desert regions with little rainfall. Mineral rich alluvial sediments, on sand dunes and exposed windy slopes. Most moisture is derived from fog.

Forms simple (unless apically damaged) short plants up to 13 cm tall and 7 cm wide.

Ribs are 6 mm in height and number around 17. The areoles initially bear whitish-grey felt.
Spines are rigid black, later becoming grey.
There are 20 to 24 six mm long thin radial spines and 4 cruciform (usually) centrals which are stouter, thickened below and up to 18 mm [20 mm] long.
3/4 inch [2-2.2 cm.] flowers arise from the felted area and vary from golden to light greenish-yellow.
Hairy, carmine fruit starts globular and ripens elongated. Perianth and a few bristles persist on the top of the fruit.
Backeberg 1977 page 217.
and Pizzetti 1985 Entry #137. (Pizzetti has a color picture with fruit.)

These are represented in collections as beautiful but small and slow growing specimens.

Backeberg notes that wild collected plants of Islaya are sometimes difficult to grow.