Copiapoa australis

Structure and distinctiveness

The small, globose stems are associated with a taproot. Tubercles are lower and less prominent than in typical C. humilis and C. laui. In the analysis by Larridon and colleagues, morphology was compared with data from three chloroplast regions. [Larridon et al. 2015, p. 1514–1515]

The accepted name, Copiapoa australis, corresponds to the plant formerly described as C. humilis subsp. australis. It was raised to species rank in the 2015 account. The marked difference in growth form from its sister species, C. solaris, shows that plant size and degree of branching can vary greatly within a closely related group. [Larridon et al. 2015] [2-WWW]

Range and threat assessment

The sites are associated with the Huasco area of Atacama. The 2015 account described a very small known population and a restricted range. In the later assessment by Villalobo-Lopez and colleagues in 2024, the species was assigned to the Critically Endangered category, CR. These assessments are attributed to specific publications and their dates. [Larridon et al. 2015, Larridon et al., p. 1515. Villalobo-Lopez et al., pp. 6–7] [Villalobo-Lopez et al. 2024, Larridon et al., p. 1515. Villalobo-Lopez et al., pp. 6–7]

Collectors' material

In Konrad Szychowski's private archive, the plant appears under Copiapoa humilis subsp. australis. The account describes cultivation as similar to the humilis group and relatively easy, without numerical environmental parameters. The preserved description and material location can be read in the earlier archived profile. [Kaktusy i Inne 2004, p. 31 pliku]