Copiapoa atacamensis
Copiapoa atacamensis is a species of the genus Copiapoa in the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet atacamensis comes from the Latin and refers to the locality in the region of the Chilean Atacama desert.
Description
Copiapoa atacamensis grows singly or clumping abundant, forming large cushions from. The spherical to extended spherical shoots are gray-green with a greyish layer of white wax. They measure up to twelve inches in diameter. The 12 to 16 ribs are sharp to blunt, rounded upper side slightly and barely resolved in cusp. Sometimes they are arranged spirally. The areoles are often confluent. They are first orange-brown, later blackish and almost naked. The thorns are brown, later grayish black to completely gray. It can be distinguished with a centimeter long, a straight, projecting central spine with three to four inches in length and five to seven slender, slightly backward curved spines.
The wide open yellow flowers are fragrant. They are 3 to 3.5 inches long. The fruits are greenish to pink and covered with little scales.
Distribution and systematics
Copiapoa atacamensis is used in Chile in the Región de Antofagasta Cerro Moreno and between Paposo.
The first description was in 1980 by Harry Middleditch. A synonym is Copiapoa calderana subsp. atacamensis ( Middled. ) D.R.Hunt ( 2002).