Xerophyte

Habit

It is a single stemmed perennial succulent plant with determinate growth (in which the axis does not continue to elongate indefinitely being limited by the development of the cephalium).

Central Spines

1-4 per areola, 10-53 mm long mostly straight-projecting

Seeds

1-1,35 x 1 mm somewhat tuberculate.

Description

Melocactus bahiensisSN|2298]]SN|2283]] subs. amethystinus distinguishes from the standard Melocactus amethystinusSN|2283]]SN|2298]] for its more acute ribs that are triangular in cross section. Melocacti are best known for their cephalia (the cap-like structures, where the flower buds will form) and always attract attention in collections.

Cephalium

Mostly small with many brown bristles up to 5 cm high and 6,5-8,5 cm in diameter.

Flowers

18-23 mm long, 10-12 mm wide. Pericarpel 6,5-8,5 cm long with white wool and bristles.

Ribs

8-12 (usually 9) acute and triangular in cross section.

Stem

Depressed-spherical, globose or pyramidal, light to dark green 10-21 cm tall, 11-21 cm in diameter in diameter.

Radial Spines

7-12 mostly straight. 13-50(60) mm long, the lowermost only a little longer than the others.

Fruits

Berry, club-shaped up to 25 mm long, 9 mm in diameter, red to crimson on the top white or pale pink at the base.

Areoles

White10-24 mm apart.