Xerophyte

Habit

Caespitose that branches profusely, forming large clumps.

Central Spines

Absent or one or two thicker up to 3cm long.

Description

Variegated Copiapoa are very rare in cultivation and some of these variegated plants are very priced by collectors. All variegates are mutants. Something has gone wrong with the cellular structure of the growth tip (apical meristem) of the plant. As a result of this mutation, chlorophyll is missing from some or all layers of the plant epidermis. The odd variegate appears in many seedling batches in a small percentage (especially among hybrid seeds) and are generally separated from normal plants. Variegated plants grow slower and are generally smaller than non-variegates of the same species. Coloured areas are also generally weaker, and more susceptible to fungus, sunburn and other defects. A large well grown variegate Copiapoa is truly an achievement. These are harder to grow well than they appear.

Roots

Roots-strong, long, thick, narrower at top.
Turnip-like root.

Flowers

Campanulate 3 cm long and grow from the center of the white wool at the apex. Outer segments of the perianth are linear and greenish; inner segments are wide, blunt and yellow.

Ribs

There about 13 tuberculate ribs with a rounded, raised edge and a wide base.

Stem

Depressed-globose 20-30 cm high, 5-10 cm across covered with copious wool at the apex, particularly at flowering time. 10-15 cm in diameter

Radial Spines

8-10 fairly slender or slightly curved horizontal, honey-amber, brown or black becoming gray with age.

Areoles

Apical, 5-8 mm diam, depressed or convex, covered with short wool when young, later glabrous about 0,5-0,8 cm, 2 cm apart.