Cactaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Melocactus levitestatus

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Melocactus levitestatus is a spiny, evergreen globose to cylindrical cactus, producing a single stem that can be 15 - 68cm tall and 14 - 30cm in diameter. Flowers are produced in a cephalium, a perennial structure up to 18cm high and 7 - 12cm in diameter that develops atop the adult cactus[ 1997 Title The genus Melocactus (Cactaceae) in Central and South America Publication Bradleya 9, 1991 pp 1-80 Author Taylor N.P. Publisher Year 1991 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Melocactus levitestatus has a very wide range and it is often abundant where it occurs. It does needs monitoring, however, due to the potential threat from limestone quarrying. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - central and eastern Brazil (Bahia, Tocantins, Goiás and Minas Gerais)

HabitatSeasonal dry forest, growing on calcareous rocks, specifically on silurian Bambuí limestone; at elevations from 450 - 780 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].