Copiapoa Britton & Rose (1922)

named after the occurrence of some species nearby the city of Copiapó, Chile
globular, later often columnar, clumping and forms large mounds
gray to green in various shades
ribs in different amount, usually only very slight
spines various also in amount, lenght and color
flowers short tubular, some fragrant, yellow to light yellow, it is a good identifying feature for this genus
fruits globular, opened at the top if they ripened
seeds usually shiny black

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Distribution

north to central Chile
Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo
steppes and mountains

Growth period

Copiapoa is usually not easy to cultivate!
at the northern hemisphere is the main growth period in late summer and fall,
therefor in summer keep in sparse shade and relatively dry

Winter period

keep dry on a bright and airy location, minimum temperature 8–12°C (46–53°F)
species out of mountains also at colder temperatures

Substrat

very porous, minerally and gravelly soil
a addition of pumice, perlite and expanded slate is recommandable
   
Copiapoa echinoides (Lemaire ex Salm-Dyck) Britton & Rose (1922)
 
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Habitat

Chile
Atacama - at Totoral

Description

hedgehog alike Copiapoa
first more oblate, gray-green
ribs 13–14, around areoles some thickened, below flat
spines first dark, soon graying
5–7 radial spines, mostly straight

1 central spine, 3 cm (1.2 in) long
flowers short, pale yellow, sepal reddish, petal broad and elongate with red strip on backside

Flowering time

June–August in cultivation
5–6 years from seed

Synonyms

Echinocactus echinoides Lemaire ex Salm-Dyck (1845)
CITES Appendix II
 
Description of "Kakteen von A bis Z" by Walter Haage with courtesy by Kakteen-Haage made available.
Pictures with courtesy of the Botanical Garden of the University of Heidelberg, Germany made available.

 

 

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