Melocactus violaceus
| Melocactus violaceus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Melocactus |
| Species: | M. violaceus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Melocactus violaceus Pfeiff.
| |
Melocactus violaceus is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and sandy shores. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
Description
Melocactus violaceus has dark green bodies measuring 5–20 cm in height and 6–20 cm in diameter, with 5–15 ribs. It features slender, brownish spines with darker tips, often tinged with gray. Central spines are absent; radial spines number 5–8, are straight or slightly curved, and are 1.4–2.4 cm long, with the lowest reaching 3 cm. The cephalium, composed of light red bristles and white wool, is up to 6 cm tall and 3.5–8.5 cm in diameter.
The deep pink flowers emerge prominently from the cephalium, measuring 1.5–2.5 cm long and 6–14 mm wide. The fruits are 1.2–1.9 cm long and range from light pink to dark pink, lilac-pink, or white.[2]
Subspecies
Accepted subspecies:[3]
| Image | Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Melocactus violaceus subsp. margaritaceus N.P.Taylor | Brazil | |
| Melocactus violaceus subsp. ritteri N.P.Taylor | Brazil (E. Central Bahia) | |
| Melocactus violaceus subsp. violaceus | Brazil (to NE. Minas Gerais) |
Distribution
This species is native to northeastern Brazil.
-
Plant growing in Guarapari, Espírito Santo
-
Plant growing in Bahia, Brazil
Taxonomy
It was first described in 1835 by Ludwig Georg Karl Pfeiffer. The name "violaceus" refers to the violet hue of its young thorns.[4]
References
- ^ a b Braun, P.; Machado, M.; Taylor, N.P.; Zappi, D. (2017). "Melocactus violaceus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T40925A121501259. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T40925A121501259.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 431. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
- ^ "Melocactus violaceus Pfeiff". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
- ^ Dietrich, Albert; Otto, Friedrich (1835). "Allgemeine Gartenzeitung". Biodiversity Heritage Library. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
External links
- Media related to Melocactus violaceus at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Melocactus violaceus at Wikispecies