Turk’s Cap Cactus

Description

The Turk’s Cap Cactus (Melocactus intortus) is a perennial, globular cactus species, endemic to the Lesser Antilles. It takes between 15 and 25 years to reach maturity and produce seeds. At the top of the plant, a reddish cephalium, made up of clusters of wool and brown bristles, gradually forms and grows slowly, at a rate of about 1 cm per year, and can reach up to 1 meter in height.

In July and August, it produces funnel-shaped, pink diurnal flowers, 1 to 2 cm in diameter, followed by fruits containing black seeds.

Protected since 1988 under several laws, this species is listed under the CITES Convention, the Cartagena Convention, as well as the ministerial decree of December 26, 1988, which established the list of protected plants in Guadeloupe. Its destruction, collection, or damage can result in a fine of up to €15,000 and a one-year prison sentence.

Many associations work for its preservation, such as the Désirade-based association Titè, created in 2002 to manage the island’s natural areas, and the Cactophiles of the Antilles Association, created in 2013, which is specifically dedicated to safeguarding this species through awareness-raising initiatives and the development of a botanical garden

Habitat

It is found in the Bahamas and on some islands of the Greater and Lesser Antilles, in sunny, arid, and rocky areas. In Guadeloupe, it is only found in La Désirade and Terre-de-Haut in Les Saintes. Its fruits, dispersed by birds, encourage its development and extend its distribution areas.

Threats

This species has been classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It faces numerous threats, such as illegal harvesting for ornamental plants, accidental trampling, as well as natural and animal threats, such as the cactus moth (Cactoblastis cactorum), a moth whose caterpillars feed on the flesh of the cactus. Cold and overwatering can also cause rot.

To ensure its preservation, the Titè association and the ONF (French Forestry Office), which co-manage the Désirade nature reserves, conduct short- and long-term monitoring of the species’ development. They monitor around a hundred cacti protected by wire mesh enclosures to assess their quantity, health, development, etc. These fences also prevent their destruction by goats and sheep.