08574 C. taltalensis (Werd) Looser 1929/CCCL33:614; Ritt 1980/KSA3:
1065-1066, fig. 990; Hoffmann & Walter, Cact. fl. silv. Chile, ed.2, 124
(2005). B: 05225 Echinocactus taltalensis Werd 1929/NBGB 10:763.
T: Cl, Antofagasta, Taltal, Sierra Esmeralda, between Posado
Hidalgos and Quebrada Cachina, c25:50S, 1925, I.M. Johnston 5676
(B†). Syn.: C. desertorum Ritt., C. hornilloensis Ritt.,
C. rubriflora Ritt. and C. rupestris Ritt.; see
Hoffmann & Walter l.c. 162-165).
Earlier regarded as a form of
C. humilis (see
CSI 12:6.2001), opinion has shifted towards acceptance of C.
taltalensis as an older name for C. rupestris and allied taxa
(cf. Hoffmann & Walter, l.c. 162-165), necessitating the following
further name change:
13947 C. taltalensis ssp. desertorum
(Ritt) Chas in Hoffmann & Walter 2005/Cact. fl. silv. Chile, ed. 2, 164.
B:00247 C. desertorum Ritt 1980/KSA 3: 1060-1061, fig.
974; 14007 C. rupestris ssp. desertorum (Ritt) Hunt
2002/CSI 13: 15. T:Cl, Antofagasta, Taltal, E. of Cifuncho on the
way to Las Breas, 1956, Ritter 529.
In the same work,
anticipating its valid publication a month or two later, is the first
description of a new taxon which may be closely related to C.
taltalensis.
13985 Copiapoa
aphanes Mächler & Walter, Kakt. and. Sukk 56(4):99-104 (April 2005).
T: Chile, Antofagasta, Taltal, 26 Feb 2002, Walter & Mächler in
Walter 449 (SGD, holo); C. aphanes Mächler & Walter in Hoffmann &
Walter 2005/Cact. fl. silv. Chile, ed. 2, 124, with figs (March 2005?),
nom. inval. (Art. 36.1, 37.1).
The authors place this
plant in the informal group dubbed "The Rest" (C. cinerascens et
al.) when the genus was discussed at a lengthy "Copiapoathon" at
Milborne Port on 5 June 2001 (see CSI 12: 4-8, 15-17). Specifically they
compare it with C. grandiflora, but comparison with C.
taltalensis (as circumscribed to include the Ritter taxa listed
above) would also be desirable to establish whether or not it is
recognizable as a distinct species. One can scarcely agree with the
comment in the English 'Abstract' (Mächler & Walter, KuaS l.c. 104) that
C. aphanes 'shows little affinity to any known taxon'.
D.H.
