Copiapoa longistaminea originates from a Chilean coastal strip centred on Esmeralda, and typically forms large clusters of black-spined heads. This plant, lying to the north of the normal distribution, is linked to the typical form by a succession of intermediates, but is so different that some suggest it needs a name of its own.

It has probably shared genes with the neighbouring population of Copiapoa columna-alba at some stage in its history, imparting characters such as the larger body size and the less caespitose habit (C. columna-alba is invariably solitary).

Whatever we wish to call it, it is a handsome plant in a beautiful location that has been visited and photographed by many cactus travellers. Rudolf Schulz showed an identical photo on p. 83 of his recent book, Copiapoa 2006 (Photo: Trevor Sellman)