About Micranthocereus purpureus (Gürke) F.Ritter
Micranthocereus purpureus (Gürke) F.Ritter typically grows as an unbranched columnar cactus. Its shoots can reach over 3 meters in height, with diameters of up to 12 centimeters. The plant has 12 to 25 low, wide ribs. It bears large, closely spaced areoles that are covered in white wool. This species produces 4 to 10 brown central spines, which grow up to 5 centimeters long, plus 15 to 20 needle-like white radial spines that reach up to 10 millimeters long. The species’ cephalium can grow up to 1 meter long and 12 centimeters wide, and is made up of grayish white wool and reddish brown to black bristles up to 2 centimeters long. Its flowers vary in color from pink to white and measure 4 to 5 centimeters long. The fruits of Micranthocereus purpureus are red, shaped from spherical to top-shaped, and grow up to 2.5 centimeters long. This species is distributed in the Brazilian state of Bahia.
