Genus Melocactus (Noun)
Meaning
Genus of strongly ribbed globose or spheroid cacti of tropical South and Central America and the Caribbean.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Melocactus species are popular among cactus collectors for their distinctive yet diverse shapes and colors, as well as their relatively compact size and ease of cultivation.
- Genus Melocactus is thought to be basal within the tribe Cereeae, having diverged early from other related genera.
- Many species of genus Melocactus develop conspicuous floral tubes that may be brightly colored and stay on the plant for extended periods of time.
- Melocactus matanzanus, commonly known as the dwarf Turk's cap cactus, is a small, globose species that produces showy pink flowers in the spring.
- Members of genus Melocactus often exhibit remarkable heteroblastic growth patterns, characterized by sharp changes in morphology between juvenile and mature plants.