Xerophyte

Central Spines

1 to 6, erect, 17-33 mm long, occasionally curved downward.Radial spines 7-10, strongly curved backward, shorter 21-33 mm long.

Seeds

1,2-1,8 mm long.

Description

Melocactus levitestatusSN|18932]]SN|20602]] is one of the larger species recognizable by the pale green to bluish-green body with brownish or pinkish-grey spines. It is distinctive but quite variable and some authors consider it only a variety of Melocactus azureusSN|20602]]SN|18932]].

Flowers

Up to 20-27 mm long, 6-9 mm broad, red or red outside, deep magenta within.

Blooming Season

Spring to summer and opening late in the afternoon.

Chromosome Number

2n = 22

Spines

Brownish red, overlaid with grey, sometimes hooked in seedlings.

Ribs

9-15 acute, triangular in cross section with straight grows.Cephalia 10 to 18 cm tall, 7-12 cm across, with bright red bristles and creamy white wool.

Stem

Depressed globose to cylindrical,15-30 cm tall (rarely to 70) and 14-22(-30) cm in diameter, pale grey-green to dark green, sometimes glaucous.

Fruits

Short, club shaped,1,2-2 cm x 7-12 mm, pure white or pale pink. Usually not produced on isolated plants (self-sterile).

Areoles

At first with white wool, later almost naked 1,5-2,5 cm apart.