Melocactus lemairei

Botanical Description

Melocactus lemairei is a spiny, evergreen cylindrical to somewhat pyramidal cactus, producing a single stem that can be 20 - 30cm tall and 20cm in diameter. Flowers are produced in a cephalium, a perennial structure up to 10cm high that develops atop the adult cactus[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. ] The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. Whole plants are sold along roadsides for medicinal use[ 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. ]. Melocactus lemairei is found in fewer than ten locations and it is threatened by collection from the wild and by land clearing for agriculture, industry, and urban development. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' 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. ].