Cactaceae FAMILY Endangered

Melocactus glaucescens

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

1/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Melocactus glaucescens is a spiny, evergreen, depressed globose to pyramidal cactus, producing a single stem that can be 13 - 18cm tall and 14 - 24cm in diameter. Flowers are produced in a cephalium, a perennial structure up to 10cm high and 6 - 7cm 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. It is grown as an ornamental, and has sometimes been illegally collected from the wild for this purpose. Melocactus glaucescens has a restricted range, the subpopulations are severely fragmented and declining due to several threats. There are potentially more subpopulations but further exploring is needed. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 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 (Bahia)

HabitatDry forest and montane savannah, growing in the open and between low shrubs on flat or sloping, more or less exposed, crystalline rock outcrops with accumulation of gravel.; at elevations from 400 - 850 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. ].