Melocactus

Its name consists of the Latin suffix “melo”, to identify a cactus in the shape of an apple or melon. In fact, one of its peculiarities is an accurately spherical shape, combined with the beautiful cephalium: it is a particular hairy protuberance, usually reddish, which appears on the apex, when the plant is quite mature, from which flowers bloom. From this eye-catching moment, the cactus body stops growing in size, leaving space for the columnar cephalic growth, almost as if a small red cactus grew right on top of the Melocactus! It is a very particular view, which makes this genus easily recognizable and unique, highly appreciated despite its slow growth. A curious fact: the Melocactus have existed from the ancient times. Some documents demonstrate, that they were among the first "new" plants, sighted by Christopher Columbus, when he arrived in America!