| Melocactus | |
|---|---|
| M. acipinosus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Core eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Tribe: | Cereeae |
| Genus: | Melocactus Link & Otto |
| Species | |
|
Melocactus albicephalus |
|
Melocactus (Melon cactus) is a 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.