Origin and Habitat: Coastal Chile, Prov. Antofagasta, Dept. Taltal, near Cifuncho
Habitat: Rocky and very arid coastline. The long tuberous root of this Copiapoa is buried deeply in these soils which are very poor in organic matter. In the area where this plants grows there is very little rain but frequent coastal fog, which provides a significant part of their water needs.

• Copiapoa desertorum var. rubriflora (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Copiapoa rubriflora F.Ritter
• Copiapoa rupestris subs. rubriflora (F.Ritter) Doweld

• Copiapoa taltalensis (Werderm.) Looser
• Copiapoa humilis subs. taltalensis (Werderm.) Doweld
• Copiapoa humilis var. taltalensis (Werderm.) A.E.Hoffm.
• Echinocactus taltalensis Werderm.
• Copiapoa desertorum F.Ritter
• Copiapoa rupestris subs. desertorum (F.Ritter) D.R.Hunt
• Copiapoa taltalensis subs. desertorum (F.Ritter) G.J.Charles
• Copiapoa desertorum var. rubriflora (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Copiapoa rubriflora F.Ritter
• Copiapoa rupestris subs. rubriflora (F.Ritter) Doweld
• Copiapoa desertorum var. rupestris (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Copiapoa rupestris F.Ritter
• Copiapoa hornilloensis F.Ritter
• Copiapoa desertorum var. hornilloensis (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
• Copiapoa rupestris subs. hornilloensis (F.Ritter) Doweld
• Copiapoa montana F.Ritter
• Copiapoa hypogaea var. montana (F.Ritter) G.J.Charles
• Copiapoa olivana F.Ritter
• Copiapoa montana subs. olivana (F.Ritter) Doweld
• Copiapoa rarissima F.Ritter

Description: Copiapoa desertorumSN|1394]]SN|1394]] var. rubriflora (Copiapoa rubrifloraSN|1404]]SN|1398]]) is a local variant of the very variable Copiapoa taltalensis which form a complex of related taxon. It is still unclear whether this variable complex is one or several species. There is so much variation that most authors choose to lump them together. Copiapoa desertorumSN|1398]]SN|1394]] var. rubriflora distinguishes for the straighter dark coloured spines and for the rarely seen red flowers. This flower colour is rare among Copiapoa which tend to be uniformly yellow. They have been given an assortment of names involving desertorum, rupestris and rubriflora. Copiapoa rubriflora is an hardy desert type same to Copiapoa rupestis but usually with red flowers rather than yellow (but the two colour forms cohabit in the same area and are not distinguishable if not in flower). Taylor (1981) suggests that Copiapoa rubrifloraSN|1394]]SN|1398]] could be a variety of Copiapoa rupestis. To be considered here would be Copiapoa hornilloensisSN|1398]]SN|1404]] and Copiapoa desertorumSN|1394]]SN|1394]].
Habit: Clustering and very spiny plant that forms loose clumps up to 40 cm tall, 90 cm wide.
Stem: Firm, globose to short cylindrical green to 40 cm high, 5-11 cm across with apex densely covered by spines.
Roots: Enlarged turnip-like, more or less elonged not restricted at the neck.
Ribs: 13-15 stright, 10-12 mm high, somewhat flattened with raised tubercles;
Areoles: Round, pale brown 7-10 mm across.
Spines: Subulate, mostly stright, thick, dark brown to black becoming grey.
Radial spines: 6-8(-12), 1-2 cm long.
Central spines: 1-3, 2-4 cm long.
Flowers: Scented, more or less uniformly red or saffron/yellow with reddish mid-strip and red tepals, 2,5 cm long with short acuminate petals, ca. 13 mm long, 5-7 mm wide. Stamens approx 15 mm long, pale saffron. Style 17-19 mm long, stigma with about 8 lobes;
Fruits: Green to red-green, 15 mm long, 7 mm wide with 6-12 reddish scales.
Blooming season: Spring and summer.
Seeds: 1 mm long, 0,7 mm wide with white, oval hilum. The back of the seed is keeled.

Cultivation and Propagation: Seeds (or offsets if available), Grafting is often used to speed growth rate and to create a back-up to plants in collection.
Cultivation: This extremely slow growing cactus is kept for the beauty of its form and for its red flowers. It must be protected from excessive heat and sun in summer. It requires light but regular waterings in summer, but let the soil mix dry between waterings, Prone to rot if over-watered. Needs good drainage. Keep warm and dry in winter (10°C) to avoid rot. Not highly tolerant of a great deal of frost. (Frost tolerance 0°C)