The inhabitants of the community Cuencas call this species "wiq'onta"; which in Quechua, (see Lara 1991) means different Puya species. The Latin species name refers to the Department Cochabamba, which has significantly diverse and endemic species of Puya (Ibisch 1998). It is virtually unbelievable that there is no Puya of this name until now. Altogether, 56 described Puya species are now known from Bolivia, and 19 from the Department of Cochabamba.
Range, Ecology and protection statuses: this species grows on rocks and in the area around Cuevas forms large colonies. It is presumable endemic to the Province of Ayopaya, Department Cochabamba. The place of discovery lies in a narrow inter Andean high-valley with tropical half dry cold mountain-climate. Nearby (at about3800-4000 m,) a large occurrence of Puya cardenasii L B Smith is located, and in the direction of Morochta was located another, now uncertain Puya species. After calculation of the national protection-value (after Ibisch 1998: 32+2+0+0+4=38) this species can be regarded as threatened (In the National Register).
Summary: Puya cochabambensis R. Vasquez & P. L. Ibisch, sp. nov., from the central high Andes (Dpto. Cochabamba, Prov. Ayopaya) has red brown stellate scales like Puya ferruginea R. & P. but differs clearly in the caespitose growth form, the small size of the plants, stiff (not lax and slender) and much smaller leaves with smaller spines, simple (not paniculate) inflorescence, secund, suberect to horizontal (not pendulous) flowers, lanceolate (not ovate) floral bracts, ovatetriangular (not ovate-linear) sepals and ovate-linear (not linear) petals. —SeeDie Bromelie
