It does look a lot like Copiapoa cinerascens, but more green. Has anyone seen this name anywhere, or do you think it might be a less-glaucus cinerascens that someone made up their own name for?

The grower is one of a few that have been supplying this nursery with rarer cacti for many years, I've never seen anything mislabeled before, except when customers were obviously messing around with tags and they got switched.

Any thoughts?

I agree, viridescens is not a valid Copiapoa name.

I linked a great web site devoted to Copiapoa below. One day, I hope to go on one of the Copiapoathon to see these plants in habitat.

Brad

I know of a C. cinerea, but not the other.

There is a Ferocactus viridescens, as Brad points out - it's native to San Diego County (among other places, maybe).

If you like the plant, I'd encourage you to get it - we grow the plants for the plants, right, not for the names?

And well, yes, we do grow the plants for the plants :) But in this case, it's at a premium price, and I don't have much room, so I'd want to be more certain. It helps a lot when you're trading seed and plants later, too. "Unknown Cop, possible hybrid" wouldn't have nearly the trading or club fundraiser power of "Rare new species! Copiapoa viridescens!"

In case someone might figure out who the grower is (or he's reading this LOL!) I should say, I'm not implying that the grower did this on purpose, I'm sure it was just a mistake. His seed source might have even listed it that way, and like I said the labels have been pretty accurate over the many years I've seen them. I believe in keeping original labels unless a definite ID is made, to avoid even more confusion later.

The flowers were done and dried up in the wool on top... I think I'll ask if they'll let me check for seed next time. It will probably still be there since it's not in bloom. They've always said "no problem" when I ask for a few dropping seeds. Especially since I can never walk out without buying more things anyway.

The problem with nursery seed is, no one knows what pollen some bee might have spread around from other plants. Could be interesting. Even if selfed, this one is still really a NOID though.

Vincent

Thanks for the link - that's a valuable resource.

And I see your point about the name. It makes a lot more sense when, as you pointed out, space is limited. And I like your point about the fund-raising aspect, too.

Have you dealt with Mesa Gardens? They have one variety of cinerescens and six of cinerea. I understand them to take strong measures wrt undesirable pollination and know that other growers do the same.