Copiapoa calderana

Scope of the name and relationships

POWO accepts Copiapoa calderana as a distinct species from the Antofagasta and Atacama regions. C. boliviana, C. lembckei and C. atacamensis var. calderana are its synonyms. The last name corresponds to a historical variety. The separate C. atacamensis retains its own circumscription. [2-WWW]

In the 2015 chloroplast analysis, C. calderana, C. marginata and C. montana occupied nearby positions, with poorly resolved relationships within the group. C. montana differs in its lesser branching and globose stems, while differences between C. calderana and C. marginata are subtler. [Larridon et al. 2015, p. 1517]

Roots, substrate and light in a cultivation account

Tomasz Romulski described growing C. calderana in a deeper pot suited to its long root. He recommended a predominantly mineral substrate at about pH 6, with little or no peat. He noted the link between the onset of growth and sufficient light in early spring. [Romulski 2005b, p. 40–42 pliku]

The author preferred misting to reproduce some conditions of the foggy habitat. His account gave about 8–10 years to flowering for plants on their own roots. These figures describe a collector's experience, whose outcome depends on growth rate and cultivation conditions. [Romulski 2005b, p. 42 pliku]

Propagation and archived material

The account mentions the rootstock × Harrisinopsis jusbertii (Eriocereus jusbertii in the source). A retained fragment of rootstock can form its own roots, preserving the grafted plant arrangement. All earlier remarks about this procedure remain available in the profile from Konrad Szychowski's private archive. [Romulski 2005b, p. 42 pliku]

Ocena ochronna

In the 2024 analysis, C. calderana was identified as Vulnerable, VU. The assessment concerned the range and pressures described in that publication. The method for determining categories and comparison with other taxa are presented in the article on threats to the genus. [Villalobo-Lopez et al. 2024, pp. 6–7]