Copiapoa cinerea

The scientific name of this tiny cactus is Copiapoa cinerea. An extremely slow growing cactus, it seems as if this small specimen hasn't grown at all since I acquired it late last year. Eventually its purple color will change to a dull green, but the spines will remain the same dark color. One of the reasons it has a purple hue (other than its young age) is that I keep it in light shade. In Phoenix, it requires some summer sun protection even as it ages.

C. cinerea is native to northern Chile. ...


http://waterwhendry.blogspot.com/2008/09/copiapoa-cinerea-green-thumb-sundy.html