Origin and Habitat: Northern Chile (Near Totoral, Atacama)

• Copiapoa echinoides var. cuprea (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Copiapoa cuprea F.Ritter

• Copiapoa echinoides (Lem.) Britton ex Rose in Britton & Rose
• Echinocactus echinoides Lem. ex Salm-Dyck
• Copiapoa bridgesii (Pfeiff.) Backeb.
• Copiapoa marginata var. bridgesii (Pfeiff.) A.E.Hoffm.
• Echinocactus bridgesii Pfeiff.
• Copiapoa cupreata (Poselg. ex Rümpler) Backeb.
• Echinocactus cupreatus Poselg. ex Rümpler
• Hildmannia cupreata (Poselg. ex Rümpler) Kreuz. & Buining
• Neoporteria tuberisulcata var. cupreata (Poselg. ex Rümpler) Donald & G.D.Rowley
• Copiapoa dura F.Ritter
• Copiapoa echinoides var. cuprea (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Copiapoa cuprea F.Ritter
• Copiapoa macracantha (Salm-Dyck) Mereg.
• Echinocactus macracanthus Salm-Dyck

Description: Copiapoa echinoidesSN|1112]]SN|1109]] var. cuprea, originally described as Copiapoa cupreaSN|1109]]SN|1112]] by F.Ritter in 1959 is a solitary or clumping cactus species, often forming dense clumps or cushion. There exist many populations with different characteristics.
Stem: Spherical, firm, dark tannish-green, cupper-red to very dark-purple and woolly apically,12 to 20 cm tall, 18 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 11 to 17, truncated.
Roots: Fibrous.
Areoles: Yellowish, becoming grey with age.
Spines: Maroon-reddish to pure black, straight or (usually) somewhat curved upward.
Central spines: 0 to 3, 1 to 3(-5) cm long.
Radial spines: 5 to 10, 2.5 cm long.
Flowers: Scented, pale yellow, 4 cm in diameter.
Fruit: Brownish-red, round with a few scales 2.5 cm long.
Seeds: Black.
Remarks: This appears to be a very variable species.

Cultivation and Propagation: Watering Needs: The location has to be warm and bright, and it has to be in direct sun. Otherwise the bodies tend to elongate in cultivation, but they should be protected from excessive heat and sun in summer. In the spring and late summer, water moderately. Between these times there are dry rest periods. In the winter keep the plant absolutely dry. The roots need a lot of room, so make sure that the pot is large enough. Use regular cacti soil with very good drainage.
Propagation: Seeds (offsets rarely), Grafting is often used to speed growth rate and to create a back-up to plants in collection.