Melocactus
| Melocactus | |
|---|---|
| File:Melocactus intortus.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Cereinae |
| Genus | Melocactus |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Melocactus is famous for its terminal cephalium, which appears once the plant reaches maturity. |
Etymology
The name is derived from the Latin melo (melon), referring to the globose, melon-like shape of the plant's body.
Description
Melocactus is one of the most easily recognized genera due to its unique growth stages: the vegetative stage (growing the body) and the reproductive stage (growing the cephalium).
- Body: Solitary (rarely clustering), globose to shortly cylindrical, with well-defined, usually straight ribs.
- Cephalium: A specialized structure at the apex composed of dense wool and bristles. It can grow quite tall over many years and is the only part of the plant that produces flowers.
- Spines: Generally strong, stiff, and radiating from the areoles.
- Flowers: Diurnal, small, tubular, and typically pink or reddish. They are often hidden within the wool of the cephalium.
- Fruits: Smooth, club-shaped (clavate), and fleshy. They are often edible and range from white to deep pink or red.
- Seeds: Small, black, and shiny.
Habitat
Primarily coastal plants, often found growing on limestone cliffs, volcanic rocks, or sandy soil near the ocean. They thrive in tropical, humid environments but require excellent drainage.
Distribution
- Caribbean: Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, etc.
- South America: Brazil (center of diversity), Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela.
- Central America & Mexico.
Species and Subspecies List
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015), here are the 38 recognized species:
- Melocactus acunae
- Melocactus andinus
- Melocactus azureus
- Melocactus bahiensis
- Melocactus bellavistensis
- Melocactus braunii
- Melocactus broadwayi
- Melocactus caroli-linnaei
- Melocactus concinnus
- Melocactus conoideus
- Melocactus curvispinus
- Melocactus deinacanthus
- Melocactus ernestii
- Melocactus estevesii
- Melocactus evae
- Melocactus ferreophilus
- Melocactus glaucescens
- Melocactus guitartii
- Melocactus harlowii
- Melocactus intortus
- Melocactus lanssensianus
- Melocactus lemairei
- Melocactus levitestatus
- Melocactus macracanthos
- Melocactus matanzanus
- Melocactus mazelianus
- Melocactus neryi
- Melocactus oreas
- Melocactus pachyacanthus
- Melocactus paucispinus
- Melocactus matanzanus
- Melocactus peruvianus
- Melocactus praerupticola
- Melocactus salvadorensis
- Melocactus schatzlii
- Melocactus smithii
- Melocactus violaceus
- Melocactus zehntneri
Taxonomy
Joël Lodé maintains Melocactus in the tribe Cereeae, subtribe Cereinae. The genus is stable, although the definition of species often varies due to high levels of endemism on different Caribbean islands and isolated Brazilian rock outcrops.
