Melocactus azureus
Melocactus azureus
Melocactus azureus is a species of the genus Melocactus in the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet means azureus, sky blue '.
Description
Melocactus azureus growing with dark green to gray- green, sometimes glauken, almost spherical to cylindrical bodies that reach heights of growth from 13 to 45 centimeters in diameter and 14 to 19 centimeters. There are 9 to 10 ribs are provided which are triangular in cross section. The spines are black to reddish and gray drowned. The 1-4 central spines are slightly curved to straight. There are 7 to 11 radial spines present. The cephalium formed from brown or white wool and reddish bristles to 12 inches high, reaching a diameter of 7-9 centimeters.
The more or less rose -colored magenta flowers are 1.9 to 2.3 cm long and have diameters from 0.8 to 1.15 centimeters. The fruits are white or sometimes light pink and up to 1.7 inches long.
Systematics, distribution and hazard
Melocactus azureus is common in the Brazilian state of Bahia, where it grows on limestone rocks at altitudes of 450 to 800 meters. The first description was in 1971 by Albert Frederik Hendrik Buining and Arnold J. Brederoo. There are two subspecies
- Melocactus azureus subsp. azureus
- Melocactus azureus subsp. ferreophilus ( Buining & Brederoo ) N.P.Taylor
Distinguished.
Melocactus azureus is in the red list of endangered species by the IUCN as ' Endangered ( EN )', ie endangered classified.