Melocactus

[LazyD]

Is this a melocactus?

DSCN2318.JPG (73.55 KiB) Viewed 1590 times

This is supposed to be an older version

DSCN2267.JPG (60.97 KiB) Viewed 1590 times

[gemhunter178]

Looks like one, I don't know the species, Melocacti are hard to identify before they grow a cephalium. Even the I can't identify them. actually, Melocatus azureus is easy to identify, but this is certainly not one, unless the second one is bluer than in the picture.

[Peterthecactusguy]

I wanna say that's a Ferocactus.. but I might be wrong...

[christos]

It's not a Melocactus.
I think it's a young Wigginsia(...which then became Notocactus ...which now is called Parodia ).
Or going the other way round it's a Parodia belonging to the Wigginsia "group".

As for the species, it is too young to call but most probable it is a sellowii.
So, to sum it up, I think it's a Parodia sellowii.

They make wonderful flowers, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[CactusBoss]

its a Melocactus i can see the cephalium

[Pilif]

its a Melocactus i can see the cephalium

they're talking about the first plant.
I also seriousle doubt it's the same species as the melocactus.

[Steve Johnson]

It's not a Melocactus.

Agreed, I wouldn't peg the first one for being a Melocactus -- it doesn't have the right "feel" to me.

Wigginsia/Notocactus/Parodia? Sometimes I wonder if taxonomists don't have enough time on their hands, so they just like messing around with us!

[LazyD]

Thanks for the clarification guys!! Appreciate it

[Cris]

the first plant look like my M pescaderensis seedlings

[Steve Johnson]

the first plant look like my M pescaderensis seedlings

I wanted to find a photo of it on the Web, but it took some digging around (figuratively)...

This comes from LA VEGETACION DE SANTANDER “SU LENTO CONOCIMIENTO Y SU ACELERADA PERDIDA”:

Melocactus_pescaderensis.jpg (84.86 KiB) Viewed 1413 times

The overall form seems to have a definite similarity, although no evidence of spines. I realize that Melos can be tough to identify when they're young, but with the cephalium I'd know for sure. Does your seedling have spines? If so, then either A. it's misidentified, or B. if you're certain that's a Melo pescaderensis, it'll outgrow its spines when it becomes an adult. I've seen spines change with age, but not outgrow them. Then again, my experience is limited at best. If you really do have a Melo, it'll be interesting to see what the plant looks like when it starts growing a cephalium.

[majcka]

For now the first one doesn't look like Melo to me. But then again... who am I to say???

Wigginsia/Notocactus/Parodia? Sometimes I wonder if taxonomists don't have enough time on their hands, so they just like messing around with us!

My thoughts exactly. I asked that a lot of "knowers" but... No answer.