Copiapoa cinerea
Encyclopedia
Copiapoa cinerea is a species
of the genus Copiapoa
in the family of Cactaceae. The name cinerea comes from the Latin word for ash, by reference to the colour of the epiderm.
It comes from the region of Antofagasta
and the coastal zones of northern Chile
. The area is very arid. However, there are dense fogs, due to cold streams of the Pacific ocean. These fogs are frequent, in early morning or late afternoon at an altitude between 500 and 850 m
This species is attractive because of the ash-grey to white coloured epidermis with typically black spines and wooly crown when adult. There is a contrast with the black spines.
Only old plants offset from the base.
The light coloration is a protection against desiccation. In culture, the epidermis is often greenish.
Flowers are yellow, 2,5 cm diameter, at the top of the plants. Rare in cultivation
Before all, it needs well drained soils. Sunny place, but protection against excessive sun in summer.
In summer, it needs light and regular watering, but let the soil dry between two waterings.
In winter, keep warm (no less than 8°C) and absolutely dry.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of the genus Copiapoa
Copiapoa
Copiapoa is a genus of cacti from the dry coastal deserts of northern Chile. It comprises about 26 species. These species vary in form from spherical to slightly columnar and in color from a brownish to blue-green body.-Taxonomy:...
in the family of Cactaceae. The name cinerea comes from the Latin word for ash, by reference to the colour of the epiderm.
It comes from the region of Antofagasta
Antofagasta
Antofagasta is a port city in northern Chile, about north of Santiago. It is the capital of Antofagasta Province and Antofagasta Region. According to the 2002 census, the city has a population of 296,905...
and the coastal zones of northern Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. The area is very arid. However, there are dense fogs, due to cold streams of the Pacific ocean. These fogs are frequent, in early morning or late afternoon at an altitude between 500 and 850 m
This species is attractive because of the ash-grey to white coloured epidermis with typically black spines and wooly crown when adult. There is a contrast with the black spines.
Description
This cactus is globular, then columnar up to 1m, 20 cm diameter, 30 ribs.Only old plants offset from the base.
The light coloration is a protection against desiccation. In culture, the epidermis is often greenish.
Flowers are yellow, 2,5 cm diameter, at the top of the plants. Rare in cultivation
Cultivation
C. cinerea is slow growing and hard to keep, because of risk of rotting. Grafting is a solution.Before all, it needs well drained soils. Sunny place, but protection against excessive sun in summer.
In summer, it needs light and regular watering, but let the soil dry between two waterings.
In winter, keep warm (no less than 8°C) and absolutely dry.
Sources
- Anderson, Edward F. (2001) The Cactus Family Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, ISBN 0-88192-498-9