Copiapoa calderana subs. atacamensis
Sukkulenty et also: D.R.Hunt [or Mottram?] in: Cactaceae Syst. Init. 13: 12. 2002 [Apr 2002] [ cf: Doweld in Sukkulenty 4(1-2): 55 (2001 publ. 2002)]
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Copiapoa calderana subs. atacamensis
Author
(Middled.) Doweld
Chinese genus
龙爪球属
Chinese name
-
DescriptionEdit description
Habit
Either solitary or forming massive clumps consisting of many stems.
Central Spines
Single, straight, pointing outward, tapering, nearly bristle-like 33–38 mm long.
Roots
It has a big taproot which is considerably longer than the stem and serves for storing water. The main root may be several times the length of the above-ground body.
Flowers
Few at a time, opening widely, diurnal closing at night, fragrant, protracting the period of opening many days, funnel-shaped, 3–3,5 cm long.
Spines
Very variable in colouration, black, brown or grey.
Ribs
12–13(-16) sharp, to obtuse, slightly rounded and barely dissolved in tubercles. Usually straight but occasionally spirally arranged.
Stem
Globose, to elongate globose up to 12 cm across, grey-green with a greyish bloom and crowned by a dense mass of silky dull-yellow or brownish wool, particularly at flowering time. The grey colouration is a waxy coating presumably produced to prevent desiccation in it's extremely dry environment. In cultivation the waxy bloom is often not produced, revealing a green epidermis.
Radial Spines
5-7 more slender, slightly backward curved, 10–12 mm long.
Fruits
Green to pink coloured, with a few scales.
Areoles
3-10 mm in diameter, almost round, approximate, the adjoining ones usually touching. Young areoles filled with soft yellowish to orange-brownish felted wool, turning grey or blackish, later almost glabrous.