Publication: Verh. Vereins Beford. Gartenbaues Konigl. Preuss. Staaten 3: 418-419 1827.
Description
Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “The Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” Volume 3, 1922:
Plants pale green or dull green, globular or somewhat broader than high, often 3 dm. in diameter and in time crowned by a cephalium; cephalium elongated, becoming 2 dm. high or more, 1 dm. in diameter, composed of white felt and brown bristles longer than the felt; ribs 1 1 to 15, broad at base, rounded ; spines all brown to yellow at first; radial spines 12 to 15, acicular, widely spreading, 3 cm. long or more; central spines usually 4 but sometimes more, subulate, much stouter than the radials, unequal in length, sometimes 7 cm. long; flower, including the ovary, about 2 cm. long, swollen at the base, the segments linear-lanceolate, acutish, about 5 mm. long; fruit broadly clavate, shining, 1.5 to 2 cm. long, capped by the more or less persistent perianth; seeds short-oblong, 1 mm. long, dull black.
Type locality: Not cited.
Distribution: Curagao and the adjacent Dutch Islands.
Dr. Britton, while studying the vegetation of Curagao in 1913 with special relation to the cacti, closely examined this species at many localities. Many slight variations in size and shape of the plant-body, length and color of the spines, and development of the cephalium were observed, but the conclusion was reached that all the individuals were, doubtless, referable to but one species, notwithstanding Professor Suringar’s contrary opinion; Dr. Shafer who accompanied Dr. Britton agreed with this result. Dr. Rose, visiting Curagao in 1916, arrived at the conclusions reached by Dr. Britton and independently by Dr. I. Boldingh, who studied the vegetation of Bonaire, Curagao, and Aruba in 1909 and 1910. The synonymy of the species is the largest of any of the cacti and perhaps not exceeded by that of any other plant.
Origin and Habitat
Curagao and the adjacent Islands.
Cultivation and Propagation
These cacti are not the easiest things to grow and aren’t plants for beginners. Melocactus peruvianus grows from April to October, it can’t endure long stretches of total dryness, and also too much water will rot it, as its weak root systems tends to be inefficient at sucking up water from wet soil. Nonetheless, again as a result of their tropical origins, they need a fair amount of water, but allow the soil to dry quite a bit before watering again. Melocactus rests from October to April but can’t stand cold, or even fairly cool temperatures, so is indispensable to keep it above 8-12°C at all times, severe damage or death occurring at temperatures that the great majority of cacti wouldn’t mind in the least and prefer more frequent water in winter than other cacti, say once a month. Do not feed in winter. The root system is weak and generally resents being repotted and can take a long time to re-establish. The soil mix should be very quick draining, prefers very bright light, not as much as the most arid growing cacti, but plenty nonetheless.
Propagation: Exclusively by Seeds. Sow in February-march in a light, sandy, porous soil. Cover germinating tray with glass to prevent seed from drying out. Germination is most successful at a temperature of 18 to 22° C.
From llifle page Cactus pyramidalis
Description
MeloSN’>20594’ alt=‘20594’>Cactus pyramidalis#SN#20595’>Melo[[Cactus pyramidalisSN’ style=‘border:none;’> is one of the several morphological forms of MeloSN’>25664’ alt=‘20595’>Cactus macracanthos#SN#25665’>Melo[[Cactus macracanthosSN’ style=‘border:none;’> which is quite variable and has received numerous unnecessary names of no botanical value, representing no more than local phenotypes.
Citations from: “General History of the Dichlamydeous Plants” page 161 Vol.3 by George Don:
4 M. PYRAMIDALIS (Link et Otto, diss. p. 10. t. 25.) plant conical or pyramidal, with 17 angles; ribs rather oblique, crenated ; spines very long, in fascicle, of a brownish red colour: outer 14 radiating in 2 series, with 2 or 3 straight and very long. D. S. Native of Curassoa.
Cactus pyramidalis, Salm-Dyck, obs. 1820. p. 4. Stem when young crowded with spines. Spadix or woolly head cylindrical, depressed at the apex.
Pyramidal Melon-thistle. Shrub 1 foot.
Remarks: It is possible to find in cultivation a form of MeloSN’>20594’ alt=‘25665’>Cactus pyramidalis#SN#20595’>Melo[[Cactus pyramidalisSN’ style=‘border:none;’> raised from the seeds distributed by Karel Kníže (field number KK567 Casma Desert, Peru Altitude: 1200Melo12607’ alt=‘20595’>Cactus pyramidalis#SN#20595’>Melo[[Cactus pyramidalisSN’ style=‘border:none;’>.
Origin and Habitat
Tropical America
Cultivation and Propagation
These tropical cacti are not the easiest things to grow and aren’t plants for beginners.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing given the best conditions.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil.
Repotting: The root system is weak and generally resents being repotted and can take a long time to re-establish. Use pot with good drainage.
Light: They preferes very bright light, not as much as the most arid growing cacti, but plenty nonetheless. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Watering: Melocacti grow from April to October and cannot endure long stretches of total dryness, and also too much water will rot them, as their weak root systems tends to be inefficient at sucking up water from wet soil. Nonetheless, again as a result of their tropical origins, they need a fair amount of water, but allow the soil to dry quite a bit before watering again.
Fertilization: Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn’t been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.
Hardiness: Melocactus rest from October to April but can’t stand cold, or even fairly cool temperatures, so is indispensable to keep them above 8-12°C at all times, severe damage or death occurring at temperatures that the great majority of cacti wouldn’t mind in the least and prefer more frequent water in winter than other cacti, say once a month. (but hardy to 4 C ° C for short periods). However warmth throughout the year will increase the grower’s success ( minimumum12° to 20° C during rest season). In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! (Temperature Zone: USDA 10-12)
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the vulnerable plants every day
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Sciara Flies: Sciara flies are one of the major problems for seedlings. It is a good practice to mulch your seedlings with a layer of grit, which will strongly discourage the flies.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
It is wise to treat your whole collection with a systemic insecticide twice a year in spring and autumn.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.
Propagation: Exclusively by Seeds. Sow in February-march in a light, sandy, porous soil. Cover germinating tray with glass to prevent seed from drying out. Germination is most successful at a temperature of 18 to 22° C.
Source: Cactus pyramidalis, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Cactus microcephalus
Origin and Habitat
Curacao
Source: Cactus microcephalus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Cactus zuccarinii
Origin and Habitat
Curacao island
Source: Cactus zuccarinii, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus aciculosus
Origin and Habitat
Caribbean, Southern America
Source: Melocactus aciculosus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus albispinus
Origin and Habitat
Aruba Island, Aruba (Caribbean, Southern America)
Source: Melocactus albispinus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus appropinquatus
Origin and Habitat
Curacao Island, Curacao (Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean, Southern America)
Source: Melocactus appropinquatus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus citrispinus
Origin and Habitat
Aruba (Caribbean, Southern America)
Source: Melocactus citrispinus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus cornutus
Origin and Habitat
Curacao, Curacao (Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean, Southern America)
Source: Melocactus cornutus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus inclinatus
Origin and Habitat
Netherlands Antilles.
Source: Melocactus inclinatus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus lehmannii
Origin and Habitat
Venezuela
Source: Melocactus lehmannii, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus microcephalus var. olivascens
Origin and Habitat
America
Source: Melocactus microcephalus var. olivascens, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus parvispinus var. carneus
Origin and Habitat
Bonaire Island, Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean, Southern America)
Source: Melocactus parvispinus var. carneus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus pinguis
Origin and Habitat
Caribbean (Southern America)
Source: Melocactus pinguis, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus pinguis var. areolosus
Origin and Habitat
West Indies (Caribbean, Southern America)
Source: Melocactus pinguis var. areolosus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Melocactus trichacanthus
Origin and Habitat
Aruba
Source: Melocactus trichacanthus, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.