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Encyclopedia Britannica



MELOCACTUS

This article appears in Volume V04, Page 925 of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

Encyclopedia Britannica - Main :: MEC-MIC
MELOCACTUS , the genus of melon-thistle or Turk's-cap cactuses, contains, according to a
recent
  estimate, about 90 species, which inhabit chiefly the West Indies,
Mexico
  and Brazil, a few extending into New
Granada
 . The typical species, M. communis, forms a succulent mass of roundish or ovate form, from t ft. to 2 ft. high, the surface divided into numerous furrows like the ribs of a melon, with projecting angles, which are set with a regular
series
  of stellated spineseach bundle consisting of about five larger spines, accompanied by smaller but
sharp
  bristlesand the tip of the plant being surmounted by a cylindrical crown 3 to 5 in. high, composed of reddish-brown, needle-like bristles, closely packed with cottony wool. At the summit of this crown the small rosy-
pink
 
flowers
  are produced, half protruding from the mass of wool, and these are succeeded by small red berries. These strange plants usually grow in rocky places with little or no earth to support them; and it is said that in times of drought the cattle resort to them to allay their thirst, first ripping them up with their horns and tearing off the outer skin, and then devouring the moist succulent parts. The fruit, which has an agreeably acid flavour, is frequently eaten in the West Indies. The Melocacti are distinguished by the distinct cephalium or crown which bears the
flowers
 .


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