This spherical to short columnar cactus has a greyish green body with 10-15 distinct ribs that are armed with black spines and has tuberous roots. It produces bright yellow funnel-shaped flowers that appear towards the top of the plant during summer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 11

Copiapoa tocopillanais naturally found in South America growing in extremely dry regions north of Chile growing in exposed rocky coastal hillsides at an altitude of 1,000 m (3,200 ft) in areas where mist and clouds supply sufficient moisture for survival.

It grows in an open to exposed sunny position in very well drained gravely soils that are moderately fertile and tolerates drought but is frost tender.

Tocopillano is grown for its blackish spines and flowers. It is planted in rockeries or arid gardens as a specimen or grown as a potted plant in cactus collections. It is suitable for coastal regions and establishes in 3-5 years and is long lived. This rare cactus may be difficult to obtain requiring a specialist nursery. ID 3266

Copiapoa (koh-pee-uh-POH-uh)tocopillana(TOK-oh-pil-AH-nah)

Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)