Xerophyte

Central Spines

1, sometimes absent, stouter 2 to 5 cm long.

Seeds

Black, bumpy.

Description

Copiapoa carrizalensisSN|1322]]SN|1320]] forms huge mounds in habitat more than 1,80 m across composed of hundreds of individual, closely packed heads. The stem is divided into shallow ribs with dense needle-like spines. Aeroles are wooly but most of the wool is concentrated on top of the cactus where it is much thicker. It similar to Copiapoa cinereaSN|1380]]SN|1380]] but usually with longer spines and greener body.

Flowers

Apical, pale yellow, scentless, 2,8-3,5 cm long and in diameter. Outer perianth segments with brown-reddish mid stripes.

Blooming Season

Summer. It is not unusual for copiapoa to take 6-10 years before it starts blooming, but once it does, it should every year.

Spines

up to 8, stout, straight, stiff, needle-like, black to light brown, becoming greyish white as they ages. The very similar Copiapoa dealbataSN|1320]]SN|1322]] has mostly 1 single spine per areloa.

Ribs

(15-)21-33 more higher and acute than in Copiapoa cinereaSN|1380]]SN|1380]], slightly tuberculate and narrow between the areoles.

Stem

Individual head, globose to short cylindrical, 6 to 16 cm in diameter, apex wool-covered. Epidermis white-dusted, covered greyish-white waxy film, but not so white like in Copiapoa cinereaSN|1380]]SN|1380]].

Radial Spines

1-7, up to 1 cm long,

Fruits

Yellowish white to reddish green, rounded, with few scales.

Areoles

Large oval, 5-9 mm in diameter, widely separated (1-2,5 cm apart) and covered with yellowish-grey or whitish-grey felt.