Melocactus deinacanthus
Melocactus deinacanthus
Melocactus deinacanthus is a species of the genus Melocactus in the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet deinacanthus means (Greek deinos ) awful (Greek akantha ) thorn, prickle.
Description
Melocactus deinacanthus grows with spherical to elongated bodies that reach heights of growth of 15 to 35 centimeters in diameter and from 12 to 25 centimeters. There are 10 to 12 sharp ribs available. The 4-7 reddish-brown central spines are long and 5.3 centimeters. The slightly curved 11 to 14 radial spines reach a length of up to 8 centimeters. The cephalium is up to 25 centimeters high, reaching a diameter of 9 centimeters.
The more or less pink magenta flowers are up to 2.6 inches long and have a diameter of 1.2 centimeters. The club-shaped fruits are white and 1.2 to 2.2 inches long.
Distribution, systematics and hazard
Melocactus deinacanthus is widespread in the Brazilian state of Bahia. The first description was in 1973 by Albert Frederik Hendrik Buining and Arnold J. Brederoo.
Melocactus deinacanthus be listed in Annex I of the CITES Convention. In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN 2002 she was described as " Critically Endangered (CR ) ', ie classified threatened with extinction. In 2013, the species is considered " Endangered ( EN ) ', ie performed as endangered.