Turk's Cap Cactus

Description:

Round Cactus with a large, spherical green stem from which a bristly cylindrical cap, called a cephalium develops. Up to 20 large, broad ribs run up the length of the stem, and it is covered in stout, yellow-brown spines which may measure up to 7 centimetres. On top of the cephalium grows reddish and white wooly fur. The species is widely distributed in the Caribbean region in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the British and United States Virgin Islands, and the West Indies (Hunt et al. 2006). It occurs at low altitudes between sea level and 100 m asl.

Habitat:

Right beside the path near the head of a trail leading down to the Baths on Virgin Gorda, BVI.

Notes:

Turk's Cap Cactus, also called barrel cactus, do resemble small barrels sitting right on the ground, with vertical, spine-ribbed flutes. It's fuschia tinted fruits are eaten by birds as well as people.