Cactaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Melocactus ernestii

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

1/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Melocactus ernestii is a spiny, evergreen globose to shortly cylindrical cactus, producing a single stem that can be 9 - 45cm tall and 7 - 22cm (exceptionally to 35cm) in diameter. Flowers are produced in a cephalium, a perennial structure up to 18cm high and 8cm in diameter that develops atop the adult cactus[ 1997 Title The genus Melocactus (Cactaceae) in Central and South America Publication Bradleya 9, 1991 pp 1-80 Author Taylor N.P. Publisher Year 1991 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. The plant is grown as an ornamental. Melocactus ernestii has a wide range, is abundant, occurs in a protected area and only has very localised threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - eastern Brazil (Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe, Bahia and Minas Gerais)

HabitatLocally dominant in dry forest, growing on exposed crystalline/sandtone rocks and especially gneissic inselbergs, including outcrops[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].