Accepted Scientific Name: Melocactus concinnus Buining & Bredero
Kakteen Sukk. 23: 7. 1972
Origin and Habitat: Central Bahia to northern central Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Altitude: 700-1200 metres above sea level.
Habitat: It is a rare species that grows along with Melocactus conoideusSN|17766]]SN|17766]] on shallow, very drained, sandy substrata in the arid rocky upland habitat of the the campo rupestre / caatinga ecotone (transition area between different plant communities with diverse geology, drainage and atmospheric humidity). This area is often described as a complex mosaic of micro-habitats. The strongly depressed (squat) habit of this species is thought to be an adaptation to minimise the effects of fire, although it can still get scorched on occasion.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Melocactus concinnus
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Melocactus concinnus Buining & BrederoKakteen Sukk. 23: 7. 1972Synonymy: 8
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Description: Melocactus concinnusSN|17767]]SN|11349]] is one of the dwarfish and more elegant Brazilian tropical specie rarely getting up to 15 cm before maturing and forming a cephalium, (the curious bristly head of the plant, which is a specialised structure in which the flowers and fruits are borne and protected.). Pink buds of flowers sprout around and on top of the cephalium, providing additional colour to the plant.
Rots: The roots of Melocactus plants remain shallowly grounded in the soil, and they generally grow in a horizontal direction.
Stem: The bodies of the plants are small, shaped like a sphere that has been squashed from above, or hemispherical, grey-green and glaucous, 8-13 cm high, 11-16 cm in diameter.
Spines: At first red, black or yellowish passing to grey with the exception of the darker tips.
Central spine: One, bent upwards, 10-19 mm long.
Radial spines: 6-8, recurved, sometimes hooked at the tip, 15-26 mm long.
Cephalia: Fairly short, to 5,5 cm high, 4-9 cm in diameter, with fine, dense, pale pinkish red bristles and cream-coloured wool, which caps the vegetative part of the stem. The cephalia can become extremely hard and thick as these cacti get older.
Flowers: Barely to well protruding from the cephalia, deep pink, 20-23 mm long, 6-12 mm in diameter.
Blooming season: It flowers off and on all summer and spits fruits out constantly after the blossoms wither, apparently they take some time to form.
Similar species: For its small dimension and short recurved spines recurved Melocactus concinnusSN|1964]]SN|11349]] is similar in shape with the Melocactus matanzanusSN|11349]]SN|1964]] of Cuba or Melocactus brauniiSN|11349]]SN|17767]] of Bahia, Brazil)
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Melocactus concinnus group
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
3) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006Zappi, D., Taylor, N., Machado, M.
4) Forzza, R. C. & et al. “Lista de espécies Flora do Brasil.” 2010 http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010/.
5) Taylor, N. P. “The genus Melocactus (Cactaceae) in Central and South America.” Bradleya 9: 1–80. 1991
6) Taylor, N.P. & Zappi, D. “Cacti of Eastern Brazil.” Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London.2004
7) Taylor, N.P., Zappi, D., Machado, M. & Braun, P. 2013. Melocactus concinnus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 April 2015.
8) “Cactaceae in Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil. Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro.” (http://floradobrasil.jbrj.gov.br/2010/FB001565) 2010.
Cultivation and Propagation: These tropical cacti are not the easiest things to grow and aren’t plants for beginners.
Growth rate: It can take more than seven years before reaching full maturity 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. Pan-shaped containers are best suit their roots’ manner of growth. Use pot with good drainage. These are long-lasting ornamental plants that have a tendency to overcrowd when placed in pots.
Light: They prefer 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: Do not feed in winter.
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 (minimum 12° to 20° C during rest season). Prolonged exposure to cold climates reduces the chance of the cacti’s survival.
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: Mealy bugs occasionally they 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.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: it 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.
Melocactus seabraensis HU214 West of Seabra, Bahia, Brazil L.Horst & W.Uebelmann: it is a form of Melocactus Concinnus, but not sufficiently differentiated and considered merely a local variant of latter (if not the same). Distribution: West of Seabra, Bahia.
