Xerophyte

Seeds

Black, shining.

Description

Melocactus harlowiiSN|23686]]SN|23686]] is a Cuban species with bright green, ovate to cylindrical usually solitary stems that reach a heights of about 25 centimeters and a diameters of 10-20 cm. The spines initially reddish and become yellowish as they age, they are 3 to 4 cm long spines and can not be divided into central and radial spines. This species will yield a great amount of variability, a trait that makes the plant fascinating to the collector and worthless to the nurseryman since the offspring are sort of unpredictable. When they are mature, the body stops growing and produces a crown on its apex named cephalium. This densely spined area is where the flowers and fruit will be produced and grow 5 to 10 cm high and in diameter. The striking difference between the body and the cephalium, reminds of a cap, hence the name Turk's Cap Cacti given to many specimen in this genus.

Note

The specific name was given in honor of Captain Charles Henry Harlow, U. S. N., naval officer and Commandant of the Guantanamo Naval Station at the time Dr. Britton studied the flora of that reservation in 1909.

Cephalium

5-10 cm high and in diameter, with reddish bristles.

Flowers

Barely protruding from the cephalia, deep rose-red, 15-20 mm long, 10-25 mm indiameter.

Spines

Not easily distinguishable as centrals and radials 10-40 mm long. Radial spines about 12, slightly spreading, reddish to yellowish with age, slender,. Central spines usually 4, similar to the radial, but usually a little stouter and longer.

Ribs

10-12.

Stem

Ovoid to cylindrical, usually solitary, light green, to 25 cm high, 10-20 cm in diameter.

Fruits

Elongate, pink to deep red, to 20 mm long.

Areoles

Closely set, usually less than 1 cm apart.