Cactaceae FAMILY Critically Endangered

Melocactus braunii

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Melocactus braunii is a spiny, evergreen cactus, producing a single, depressed-globose stem that can be 8cm tall and 15cm in diameter. Flowers are produced in a cephalium, a perennial structure up to 4cm high and 6cm in diameter that develops atop the adult cactus The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Melocactus braunii has a very small range, being known from only one location. There is an inferred continuing decline of the population as a result of mining in the area and, in addition, the species is also collected locally for food and horticulture. .The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 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 - eastern Brazil (Bahia)

HabitatMontane savannah; at elevations around 1,000 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. ].