Xerophyte

Central Spines

Absent or one or two thicker 3-6 cm long.

Seeds

2 x 1,5 mm not shiny, surface with low and rounded bumps.

Description

Copiapoa coquimbanaSN|1348]]SN|1348]] is a strongly spined cactus that branches vigorously from the base, forming large clumps or cushions up 1 m wide and 60 cm high and composed of several hundred heads. It's a highly variable taxon with several more or less similar forms that could be described as geographical varieties or, in some cases, critical species.

Roots

It has a shallow, diffuse root system or (less frequently) a short taproot.

Tubercles

With a rounded, raised edge and a wide base.

Flowers

At the apex, diurnal closing at night, fragrant, protracting the period of opening many days, campanulate, 2,5-5 cm long, and they grow from the centre of the white wool at the apex. The outer segments of the perianth are linear red-brown or greenish. The inner segments are wide, blunt and yellow with a subtle red mid-stripe.

Ribs

There are 10 to 20 strongly tuberculate especially in young specimens

Stem

Elongated-globose, relatively soft, 7-15 cm in diameter, pale to bright green or bluish green, and crowned by a dense mass of long white wool, particularly at flowering time.

Radial Spines

5 to 10, stout, 1-5 cm long, fairly slender or slightly curved, horizontal, pointing outwards, narrowed angle to the central spine, honey-amber, brown or black, becoming grey with age.

Fruits

About 15 mm in diameter reddish-brown, flowers remnants separate early from the fruit.

Areoles

Apical, convex, covered with short wool when young, later glabrous, about 5-10 mm in diameter and 0,5-2 cm apart.