This taxon was described in 1940 by Espinosa as Opuntia reicheana.
The type location is Baños el Toro, east of La Serena at the end of the Elqui Valley in Chile.
The plants were placed to Maihueniopsis leoncito as well as Maihueniopsis grandiflora.
Unfortunately we could not yet see these plants, but we hope for a better opportunity during our next holiday.