Melocactus

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Melocactus
M. acipinosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Caryophyllales Family: Cactaceae Subfamily: Cactoideae Tribe: Cereeae Genus: Melocactus Link & Otto
Species
Melocactus acipinosus Melocactus albicephalus Melocactus andinus Melocactus bellavistensis Melocactus concinnus Melocactus conoideus Melocactus matanzanus Melocactus oreas Melocactus pachyacanthus Melocactus salvadorensis Melocactus violaceus Melocactus zehntneri etc.

Melocactus (Melon cactus) is genus of cactus with about 40 species. They are native to the Caribbean, northern South America, with some species along the Andes down to southern Peru, and a concentration of species in northeastern Brazil.

The genus Cactus Britton & Rose has been brought into synonymy with this genus.

Mature plants are easily recognizable by their cephalium, a wool- and bristle-coated structure at the apex of the plant, from which the inconspicuous flowers grow.