| Melocactus zehntneri | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Melocactus |
| Species: | M. zehntneri |
| Binomial name | |
| Melocactus zehntneri (Britton & Rose) Luetzelb. | |
Melocactus zehnerii is a Turk's turban cactus native to the state of Bahia, in north eastern Brazil. It is also known as Melocactus giganteus and Cactus zehntneri. [1] Like other Turk's turbans, it has a roundish lower body with typically about eleven vertical ribs which does the photosynthesis and an elongated upper body, the cephalum, which is a type of capitate inflorescence. Its phyllotaxis is much higher; usually 34/55. This upper cephalum can grow as much as 72 cm (28 in) in length, and displaying as many as 16 annual rings. [2] one of the longest living of all inflorescences known. This species was discovered in 1968 by Leopoldo Horst and A.F.H. Buining.
