Melocactus levitestatus

Melocactus levitestatus
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Genus:	Melocactus
Species:	M. levitestatus
Binomial name
Melocactus levitestatus Buining & Brederoo
Synonyms
List Melocactus diersianusBuining & Brederoo 1975 Melocactus diersianus f. rubrispinus(F.Ritter) P.J.Braun 1988 Melocactus levitestatus f. securituberculatus(Buining & Brederoo) P.J.Braun & Esteves 2001 publ. 2002 Melocactus rubrispinusF.Ritter 1979 Melocactus securituberculatusBuining & Brederoo 1976 Melocactus uebelmanniiP.J.Braun 1985 Melocactus warasiiE.Pereira & Buenecker 1977

Melocactus levitestatus is a species of cactus of the genus Melocactus found in Brazil. ^[2]

Description

Melocactus levitestatus features depressed, spherical to cylindrical shoots that grow 15–68 cm (6–27 in) tall and 14–30 cm (5.5–11.8 in) in diameter, with 9-15 sharp-edged ribs. Seedlings may have hooked brownish-red, gray-tinged spines. Central spines are 1.7–3.3 cm (0.7–1.3 in) long and are ascending or occasionally curved downward; radial spines of 2.2–3.3 cm (0.9–1.3 in) in length are strongly recurved, totaling 7-10. The bright red bristly cephalium reaches 18 cm (7.1 in) in height and 7–12 cm (2.8–4.7 in) in diameter.^{[ citation needed ]}

Flowers are uniformly red or externally red with deep magenta interior, measuring 2–2.7 cm (0.8–1.1 in) long and 0.6–0.9 cm (0.24–0.35 in) in diameter. Fruits are white or light pink, club-shaped, 1.2–2.4 cm (0.5–0.9 in) long. ^[3]

Distribution

This species is native to southern and western Bahia, northern to central Minas Gerais, Tocantins, and Goiás in Brazil at elevations between 450 to 870 m (1,480 to 2,850 ft). Plants are found growing in limestone soil in seasonal dried forest. ^[4]

Taxonomy

First described in 1973 by Buining and Brederoo, the name "levitestatus" derives from Latin, meaning "smooth seed coat." ^[5]

References

1. Taylor, N.P.; Machado, M.; Braun, P. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Melocactus levitestatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T152259A121528912. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152259A121528912.en .
2. "Melocactus levitestatus Buining & Brederoo". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
3. Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 427. ISBN   3-8001-4573-1.
4. "Melocactus levitestatus". LLIFLE. 2013-08-04. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
5. "Cactus and Succulent Journal November-December 1973: Vol 45 Iss 6 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. 2016-10-23. Retrieved 2025-07-02.