Melocactus violaceus
Pfeiff.
Cactaceae
Cactus depressus (Aiton) Borg
Cactus melocactoides Hoffmanns.
Cactus meonacanthus Lem. ex Steud.
Cereus meonacanthus Link & Otto ex Steud.
Echinocactus melocactoides Lem.
Echinocactus meonacanthus Link & Otto
Melocactus depressus (Aiton) Hook.
Melocactus gardenerianus J.R.Booth ex C.F.Först.
Melocactus goniodacanthus Lem.
Melocactus melocactoides (Hoffmanns.) DC.
Melocactus parthonii Miq.
Common Name:
General Information
Melocactus violaceus is a spiny, evergreen depressed globose, hemispherical or disc-shaped cactus, producing a single stem that can be 5 - 20cm tall and 6 - 20cm in diameter. Flowers are produced in a cephalium, a perennial structure usuallu up to 55mm high (exceptionally to 110mm) and 37 - 85mm in diameter that develops atop the adult cactus[
1997- Title
- The genus Melocactus (Cactaceae) in Central and South America
- Publication
- Bradleya 9, 1991 pp 1-80
- Author
- Taylor N.P.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is grown as an ornamental.
Melocactus violaceus has a wide range, occurring along the coast of Brazil from Rio de Janeiro northwards. In total, a 70% population loss is inferred based on historical land use change for tourist development. A 30% loss or higher is estimated over the past 15 years (or three generations). The habitat quantity and quality is being reduced due to many reasons, such as tourism, agroindustry, and urbanization. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[
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.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1997- Title
- The genus Melocactus (Cactaceae) in Central and South America
- Publication
- Bradleya 9, 1991 pp 1-80
- Author
- Taylor N.P.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1991
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
S. America - eastern Brazil from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Norte
Habitat
Found between shrubs in sand of the coastal restinga, riverine sand-dunes, and similar habitats further
inland; at elevations from sea level to 1,100 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.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Perennial |
| Height | 0.15 m |
| Pollinators | Hummingbirds, Insects |
| Self-fertile | Yes |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The plant is used as an antiscorbutic[
461- Title
- Diccionario das Plantas Uteis do Brasil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Correa M.P.
- Publisher
- Imprensa Nacional; Rio de Janeiro
- Year
- 1926
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A massive work in 6 volumes giving details of the various uses of Brazilian plants.
,
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
