Eriosyce choapensis

The Choapa Valley lineage

Eriosyce choapensis includes the lineage represented in research by the Choapa and Tilama populations. Dissection of the former E. curvispina complex connected DNA evidence with historical plant names. POWO accepts E. choapensis at species rank [Walter et al. 2024] [2-WWW].

Diagnostic characters

The nearly globose stem is dark green to brownish and about 5–10 cm in diameter. It has 15–22 ribs. A short, slender primary root accompanies fibrous roots. Spines are slender and mostly 1–2 cm long. The small stem and comparatively delicate armature form part of the species character combination [Walter et al. 2024].

The funnel-shaped flower measures 3.5–4.5 cm. Narrow, pale-yellow tepals sometimes carry a faint purple central stripe. The pink style is used in the diagnostic description. The barrel-shaped fruit measures about 1.5–2 cm. Identification combines these features with the plant’s provenance [Walter et al. 2024].

Distribution and threats

The known range is inland, from the Illapel area to Tilama, at 400–1200 m elevation. Habitat fragmentation, mining and grazing are threats identified in the revision. In 2024 the authors proposed Endangered, EN, with an estimated extent of occurrence below 5000 km² [Walter et al. 2024].

Hidden diversity in Eriosyce. DNA, geography and pollinators in species recognition

Materials from the author's archive

The species also appears in Konrad Szychowski's private material archive [Kaktusy i Inne 2004].

Synonyms and names in the literature

Pyrrhocactus choapensis · Horridocactus choapensis · Neoporteria choapensis · Eriosyce curvispina var. choapensis · Eriosyce curvispina subsp. choapensis · Pyrrhocactus pamaensis [2-WWW]

Related plant cards

Eriosyce aconcaguensisEriosyce

Created 21 October 2026

Last modified 21 October 2026

Sources for this account

[2-WWW]Source website

Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

https://powo.science.kew.org/

Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.

Accessed 2026-10-08.

Article2024

Taxonomic dissection based on molecular evidence of the Eriosyce curvispina complex (Cactaceae): identifying nine endemic species from Central Chile

Walter H. E., Cádiz-Véliz A., Meriño B. M., Villalobos-Barrantes H. M., Guerrero P. C., Taxonomic dissection based on molecular evidence of the Eriosyce curvispina complex (Cactaceae): identifying nine endemic species from Central Chile, PhytoKeys, 2024, 237:117-139, doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.237.107403

A revision of the Eriosyce curvispina complex recognizes nine species using molecular evidence, morphology, distribution and historical nomenclature. It provides an identification key, diagnostic descriptions, habitat information and proposed threat categories. Material from the vicinity of the original locality helps establish a narrower application of E. curvispina.

Physiology and anatomyGenusEriosyce

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Zeszyt czasopisma2004

Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2

[Autor nieustalony, Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2, Kaktusy i Inne, 2004, nr 2]

A 2004 issue preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. Supplied excerpts include material on Copiapoa, Neoraimondia, Neowerdermannia and Samaipaticereus.

GenusCopiapoaNeoraimondiaNeowerdermanniaSamaipaticereus

Bibliographic details and access scope

Data according to the source used. Author unknown.

Copy in the supplied material