Copiapoa humilis

     Native to the coastal deserts of northern Chile, Copiapaoa humilis is a sometimes solitary but often clumping small cacti. The one above had several offsets so I assume it's mature. The main head is maybe an inch and a half across. I couldn't find any info on how big they actually get. It's reported to produce yellow flowers almost as large as the main head above.
      This one came from Bachs Cactus Nursery in Tucson. What a buy for four bucks! I love the purple and black color. Hopefully I can maintain it. It's now seven separate potted heads, a couple with little offsets of their own.
Update May 2007. One of the potted heads is producing a flower bud. I'll be keeping tabs on this as it grows. May 25th it opened and I have to admit some dissapointment. I'm not a real fan of yellow flowers.

First flower bud

First flower