TURK'S
HEAD OR BARREL CACTUS
Family:
Melocactus intortus
This is
a barrel-shaped grotesque cactus with the wickedest of
spines, easily penetrating rubber soles. It is also
known in the northern islands as ‘Mother-in-law’s
pincushion’. When mature it has a large red head. Its
fuchsia coloured fruits are picked out of the head by
birds and children. Turk’s Heads are common on rock
pavement vegetation of the eastern coast, as the cliffs
of Shirley Heights. They are often transplanted as
ornamentals in gardens.
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