Melocactus curvispinus

Native from southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia, Venezuela and several Caribbean islands, this rounded cactus is characteristic of seasonally dry tropical environments. Its ribbed body bears clusters of spines, some curved downward. At maturity, it develops a woolly, bristly flowering crown called a cephalium. Subsequent upward growth occurs in this crown rather than the green body. Pink to reddish flowers arise from the cephalium, followed by club-shaped pink or red fruits containing black seeds. It can produce seeds through self-pollination, although cross-pollination also occurs. Photographed in Colombia.