Xerophyte

Habit

It is a solitary perennial stem succulent with determinate growth in which the axis does not continue to elongate indefinitely being limited by the development of the flower bearing cephalium.

Description

Melocactus erythracanthusSN|2264]]SN|2303]] is one of the innumerable local form of the very variable Melocactus ernestiiSN|2303]]SN|2264]] which distingushes for the green, not glaucous body and the areoles bearing very long, reddish spines up to 15 cm in length, giving it a very spiny appearance. The cephalium is reddish with intermixed white wool. It is also one of the larger melocacti.

Ribs

10 to 13.

Stem

Globose to conical strongly longitudinally ribbed, up to 45 cm tall, 35 cm in diameter (but usually less). Mature plants are easily recognizable by their cephalium, that have a covering of wool and bristles. The immature plant looks like a smallish barrel cactus, and there is nothing in its appearance that would suggest a Melocactus.