Copiapoa rupestris 'rubriflora'

Copiapoa rupestris 'rubriflora'
Date: 2001 February 13
Location: inland from Taltal, Chile

Inland from Taltal, near Estación Breas (presumably once a railway station, though little trace of it seems to remain), we found these plants.

Although fairly convinced at the time that they were Copiapoa, with the reddish flower (here in bud) indicating what has sometimes been called Copiapoa rupestris 'rubriflora', we also wondered if perhaps it was actually a Neoporteria.

Another plant with an open flower.

And another, showing more of the interior of the flower.