Melocactus intortus

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Melocactus intortus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Melocactus
Species:
M. intortus
Binomial name
Melocactus intortus

Melocactus intortus, also known as the Turk's cap cactus, is a species of cactus endemic to the Caribbean.

Etymology[edit]

The Turks Islands in the Turks and Caicos are named after this cactus, whose red cephalium resembles the fez worn by Turkish men in the late Ottoman Empire.[2][3] A stylised version of the cactus appears prominently on the coat of arms of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Taylor, N.P. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Melocactus intortus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152029A121518413. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152029A121518413.en. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Turks and Caicos Islands". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  3. ^ "About Turks and Caicos". Turks and Caicos Islands. Turks and Caicos Tourist Board. Archived from the original on 2021-12-11. Retrieved 2022-03-15.