Melocactus azureus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Ordo: Caryophyllales

Familia: Cactaceae
Subfamilia: Cactoideae
Tribus: Cereeae
Subtribus: Cereinae
Genus: Melocactus
Species: Melocactus azureus
Name

Melocactus azureus Buining & Brederoo, 1971
Synonyms

Melocactus azureus var. krainzianus (Buining & Brederoo) P.J.Braun
Melocactus krainzianus Buining & Brederoo
Melocactus azureus subsp. krainzianus (Buining & Brederoo) Guiggi in Cactology 5 (Suppl. 8): 2. 2020 syn. sec. Korotkova 2021

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Southern America
Regional: Brazil
NE-Brazil (Bahia)

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

Buining, A.F.H. & Brederoo, A.J. 1971: Kakteen And. Sukk. 22: 101

Additional references

Giulietti & al. (2009). Plantas raras do Brasil: 1-496. Conservação International, Belo Horizonte, MG.
Korotkova, N., Aquino, D., Arias, S., Eggli, U., Franck, A. , Gómez-Hinostrosa, C., Guerrero, P.C., Hernández, H.M., Kohlbecker, A., Köhler, M., Luther, K., Majure, L.C., Müller, A., Metzing, D., Nyffeler, R., Sánchez, D., Schlumpberger, B. & Berendsohn, W.G. 2021. Cactaceae at Caryophyllales. org–a dynamic online species-level taxonomic backbone for the family. Willdenowia 51(2): 251–270. DOI: 10.3372/wi.51.51208 Open access Reference page.

Links

Korotkova, N. et al. 2021. Melocactus azureus in Cactaceae at Caryophyllales.org. A global synthesis of species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Nov 29. Reference page.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2021. Melocactus azureus in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Apr 03. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2021. Melocactus azureus. Published online. Accessed: Apr 03 2021.
Tropicos.org 2021. Melocactus azureus. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 03 Apr 2021.
Hassler, M. 2021. Melocactus azureus. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2021. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Apr 03. Reference page.
IUCN: Melocactus azureus Buining & Brederoo (Endangered)

Vernacular names

Melocactus azureus is a species of cactus. It is endemic to Brazil, where it is known only from Bahia. It is locally abundant but the populations are fragmented and vulnerable to habitat degradation.[1]

Description

Melocactus azureus has a striking frosty blue epidermis. It's cylindrical stem is(9-)14-30(-45cm) tall and 14-20 centimeters in diameter, green, grey-green, but never glaucous like subspecies Melocactus azureus ferreophilus with mucilage present in the cortical tissues. It has 9-10 ribs and the spines are black to reddish, overlaid with gray, and some are hooked in seedlings while the central spines are slightly curved to straight and the radial spines are very stout. The flowers are small, 15-23mm long and 4-11 mm in diameter, and pink to magenta, it flowers in spring to late autumn. The fruits are small, white to able pink and seeds are smooth. It has the chromosome number 2n = 44.[2]
Habitat

Melocactus azureus is endemic to central, northern, and easter Brazil at altitudes of 450-800 metres above sea level. This species has a small range and is only in low-lying outcrops of limestone, tt occurs in fragmented populations from a few hundred to millions. A major threat to the species is habitat loss for agriculture, vegetation is destroyed when the surrounding caatinga forest is cleared causing a decline of wild populations. The change has an impact on the outcrops were the species grows as well, making them prone to invasive species.[2]
Cultivation

Melocactus azureus has a relatively rapid growth rate given the best conditions. These tropical cacti are not recommended for beginners as they are not easy to grow. It grows well in very porous standard cactus mix soil, this cactus preferes very bright light however not as much as most arid growing cacti.[2]
Subspecies

Melocactus azureus subsp. ferreophilus (Buining & Brederoo) N.P.Taylor

References

Taylor, N.P.; Machado, M.; Zappi, D.; Braun, P. (2013). "Melocactus azureus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T40917A2943509. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T40917A2943509.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
"Melocactus azureus Buining & Bredero". Llifle. Retrieved 8 March 2022.