The species was described in 1891 by Philippi as Opuntia tarapacana. As type location Calalaste is indicated. The Quebrada Calalaste is situated north west of Antofagasta de la Sierra in a region that belonged to Chile at Philippi’s time and now is part of Argentina.
Maihueniopsis tarapacana SAR 13841 in the Quebrada Calalaste, AR.
A few years earlier we were lucky to find plants of Maihueniopsis tarapacana at the RP 43,
where we also could take pictures of the flower.
An exact classification of Maihueniopsis tarapacana can only be made after more detailed studies.