Xerophyte

Central Spines

One thicker, upward curving, round in cross-section, 3,5-5 cm long and about 1,5 mm in diameter.

Seeds

2 x 1,5 mm, black, shiny, surface with low and rounded bumps.

Description

Copiapoa coquimbanaSN|1348]]SN|1348]] subsp. andina is one of the several local form of the very variable Copiapoa coquimbanaSN|1348]]SN|1348]] with outstanding golden-yellow spines. This peculiar colouring make this plant easy to spot on the grey-black rock where it grows. This golden appearance is not typical of any other Copiapoa.

Roots

Napiform, stout, light brown, up to 30 cm long and 3-5 cm broad slightly restricted at neck.

Tubercles

Rounded, slight depressed in correspondence to each areole.

Flowers

1 to 4 at a time, diurnal closing at night, fragrant, protracting the period of opening many days, funnel-shaped, 38-42 mm long, and they grow from the centre of the grey wool at the apex. The perianth segments are 12-18 mm long and 6-8 mm wide, blunt and yellow with a outer reddish mid-stripe. Ovary cup-shaped, 6 mm in diameter. Pericarpel greenish, naked, shiny. Style20 mm long, yellow. Stigma yellow, 9 to 14 lobes, 3 mm to 6 mm long. Stamens 8 mm to 12 mm long, yellow.

Ribs

There are 10 to 20 strongly tuberculate especially in young specimens

Stem

Spherical, tight and slightly compressed, relatively soft, 9-15 cm in diameter and 8-30 cm tall, pale green with incomplete farinose coating, and crowned by a dense mass of long greyish-white wool, particularly at flowering time.

Fruits

Round to elongate, about 15 mm in diameter and up to 2,5 cm long, pale olive green to reddish-brown, flowers remnants persistent on the seedpod .

Habit

It is a heavily spined cactus that branches from the base, forming large clumps or cushions composed of up to 50 heads. Plants are quite homogeneous in appearance.

Blooming Season

Spring ( October, November in habitat)

Radial Spines

9, round in cross-section, chestnut-brown quickly ageing into pale grey and then yellowish brown, stout, 2-3 cm long, about 0,8 mm in diameter, fairly slender or slightly curved, following the shape of the body and forming a large angle to the central spine. Upper lateral spines thinner than the lower laterals.

Areoles

Apical, convex, almost round, covered with dense grey wool when young, later glabrous, about 5-6 mm in diameter.