Cephalium

Cephalium is a frequently brightly coloured structure of wool and bristle at the growing tip of certain cacti. It is most commonly found on cacti of the genus Melocactus and can take a number of colours, forms and shapes. The cephalium will only begin growing after a cactus has reached a certain size or age. Once flowering begins the flower buds will form from the cephalium.

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  Flowers emerge from cephalium of Arrojadoa penicillata.
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  Cephalium of Melocactus matanzanus
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  Lateral cephalium of Espostoa lanata

External links

• http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dictionary/Dictionary_C/dictionary_cephalium.htm