Cactaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Melocactus bahiensis

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

1/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Melocactus bahiensis is a spiny, evergreen, cactus producing a single, globose, depressed globose, or pyramidal stem 9 - 21cm tall and 11 - 21cm in diameter. Flowers are produced in a cephalium, a perennial structure rarely more than 50mm high and 65 - 85mm in diameter that develops atop the adult cactus[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. Melocactus bahiensis has a wide range and numerous subpopulations. There are some localized threats but none affect the species as a whole. 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

HabitatExposed crystalline rock formations (quartzitic-arenitic, granite/gneiss), quartz gravel, rarely on limestone, under and between shrubs, in caatinga and campo rupestre; at elevations from 300 - 1,300 metres[ 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. ].