Melocactus
Melocactus matanzanus (Turk's head cactus, Turk's cap cactus, melon cactus), a cactus from Mexico, is a large ribbed, ball-shaped or cylindrical plant that develops a cap or "cephalium" on the top of the plant at maturity.
Cactus Image Gallery
Melocactus matanzanus. See more pictures of cacti.
Melocactus communis, from Jamaica, which has a similar appearance, was one of the first cacti ever seen by Europeans; they thought that the plants were actually the fruit of a giant thistle. These plants originate from warm, moist, coastal areas; unlike most desert cacti, they can tolerate humidity.
Give them bright light, heavy soil with good drainage and warm nights. Drench and let dry.
Cactus Profiles
Aeonium Melocactus Agave Mountain Cereus Alluaudia procera Nananthus schoonesii Calibanus hookerii Rat Tail Cactus Crassula Rebutia Echeveria Sedum Elephant Bush Senecio Eulychnia saint-pieana Spider Cactus Ferocactus Stapelia Foxtail Asparagus Fern Tephrocactus Gasteria Torch Cactus Haageocereus chrysacranthus Trichodiadema olearea Holiday Cactus Yucca Kalanchoe
Caring for your cactus:
- Cactus Care
- Light Requirements of Cactus Plants
- Water and Humidity Requirements of Cactus Plants
- Temperature Requirements of Cactus Plants
- Fertilizing Cacti
- Preventing Cacti Pests and Diseases
- Potting Cactus Plants
- Propagating Cacti
- Arranging Cactus Plants
- House Plants
- Gardening