Melocactus matanzanus

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 matanzanus
Name

Melocactus matanzanus León, Mem. Soc. Cub. Hist. Nat. "Felipe Poey" 8: 206, tab. 10, fig. 3. 1934.

Synonyms

Cactus matanzanus (León) Borg
Melocactus actinacanthus Areces
Melocactus matanzanus subsp. actinacanthus (Areces) Guiggi

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Southern America
Regional: Caribbean
Cuba

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

León, H. (1934) Memorias de la Sociedad Cubana de Historia Natural "Felipe Poey" 8: 206, tab. 10, fig. 3..

Additional references

Govaerts, R. 1999. World Checklist of Seed Plants 3(1, 2a & 2b). 1532 pp.. MIM, Deurne. ISBN 90-5720-098-8 (issue 1), ISBN 90-5720-099-6 (issue 2b). Reference page.
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 matanzanus in Cactaceae at Caryophyllales.org. A global synthesis of species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Nov 30. Reference page.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2021. Melocactus matanzanus in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Apr 04. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2021. Melocactus matanzanus. Published online. Accessed: Apr 04 2021.
Tropicos.org 2021. Melocactus matanzanus. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 04 Apr 2021.
Hassler, M. 2021. Melocactus matanzanus. 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 04. Reference page.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Melocactus matanzanus in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 09-Oct-10.

Vernacular names
English: Dwarf Turk's-cap cactus
español: Erizo

Melocactus matanzanus, common name dwarf Turk's-cap cactus or Turk's-cap cactus, is a cactus in the genus Melocactus of the family Cactaceae. The epithet matanzanus is derived from the Cuban province of Matanzas.
Description

Melocactus matanzanus is a perennial fleshy globose plant. It can reach a height of 70–90 mm (2+3⁄4–3+1⁄2 in) and a diameter of 80–90 mm (3+1⁄4–3+1⁄2 in). On the bright green body there are 8–9 (or more) ribs. The thorns are brownish-gray or white. The central spine is up to 50 mm (2 in) long, while the 7 to 8 radial spines are 30–50 mm (1+1⁄4–2 in) long.

When the plant has reached a certain age it shows at the growing tip a cephalium (hence the common name of "Turk's Cap"), a globose structure covered with reddish-brown bristles. This structure, where the flower buds will form, reaches a height of up to 90 mm (3+1⁄2 in) and a diameter of 50–60 mm (2–2+1⁄2 in). The flowers are carmine, about 50 mm (2 in) long.
Distribution
This plant is native to the north-central area of Cuba. It is a popular and desirable species throughout the world as an ornamental plant.