Xerophyte

Central Spines

4-7 reddish-brown up to 5,3 cm long.

Description

It is a large species strictly related to Melocactus ernestiiSN|2270]]SN|2264]]

Cephalium

Up to 25 cm tall and 9 cm in diameter. In contrast to the typical cephaliums covered with reddish bristles, in Melocactus deinacanthusSN|2264]]SN|2270]], the upper portion of the cephalium tends to remain white, with few bristles to poke out beyond an abundant layer of woolly fibers. The immature plant looks like a smallish barrel cactus, and there is nothing in its appearance that would suggest a Melocactus.

Flowers

Up to 2,6 cm long and 1,2 cm in diameter in various gradation of pink-magenta

Ribs

10 to 12 sharp-edged.

Stem

Usually solitary, globose to cylindrical about 35 cm tall and 25 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

11-14 slightly curved up to 8 centimetres long.

Fruits

Club-shaped pure white 1,2 to 2,2 centimetres long.