Origin and Habitat: Melocactus schatzliiSN|31102]]SN|31102]] has a restricted distribution in northeastern Colombia (Boyaca, Santander) and a single valley in adjacent Venezuela (Lagunillas, Merida). Populations are dense, with several hundreds of individuals per hectare, but with small extent (Extent of occurrence less than 20,000 km2). It occurs at a few locations, and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat due to urban expansion.
Altitude range: Between altitudes of 500 and 2,200 metres above sea level.
***Habitat and Ecology: This species grows on steep rocky valley slopes and spiny scrublands within xeric patches. A predominantly outcrossing species, hummingbirds are the only pollinators responsible for outcrossing and gene flow events in this species. In their absence, M. schatzlii sets seeds by selfing.

• Melocactus schatzlii H.Till & R.Gruber
• Melocactus mazelianus subs. schatzlii (H.Till & R.Gruber) Guiggi

• Melocactus schatzlii H.Till & R.Gruber
• Melocactus mazelianus subs. schatzlii (H.Till & R.Gruber) Guiggi
• Melocactus pescaderensis Xhonneux & Fern.Alonso

Description: Melocactus schatzliiSN|31102]]SN|31102]] is one of the few Andean Melocacti, characterized by a peculiar white cephalium with short bristles almost completely concealed in the wool. In time the cephalium forms a 12 cm column that towers over the body. The fruit are bright pink.
Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. chicamochae Fern. Alonso & Xhonneux.
Stem: Flattened-spherical to ovoid, grey-green, slightly glaucous, 8-18(-34) cm tall, 10-20(-25) cm in diameter.
Ribs: 10-15, usually sharp-edged.
Areoles: Deep-setted in notches in the ribs.
Spines: Fairly weak, dark brown, becoming grey, straight or slightly curved.
Central spines: (0-)1-4, pointing outward, 8-20 mm long.
Radial spines: (3-)5-10, similar to the centrals, 4-20 mm long, lowermost ones longest,
uppermost often bristle-like and very short.
Cephalia: Up to 12 cm high, 6-10 cm in diameter, sometimes nearly as wide as the stem, with white to grey wool. The bristles are almost completely concealed in the cephalium.
Flowers: Diurnal, opening in late afternoon, pale to deep pink, 21-30 mm long, 9-12 mm in diameter, hardly protruding out of the cephalium.
Fruits: Red at the tip, pink or white below, 18-25 mm long.
Seeds: Seeds presents strongly marginal or uniformly convex testa-cells.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Nassar, J. & Taylor, N.P. 2013. Melocactus schatzlii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 27 April 2015.
2) Nassar J., Ramirez N., Lampo M., Gonzales J., Casado R., and Navaz F. “Reproductive biology and mating system estimates of two Andean Melocacti, Melocactus schatzlii and M. andinus (Cactaceae).” Annals ofBotany, 99, 29–38. 2007.
3) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
4) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
5) Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton "Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names" Birkhäuser 2004
6) Taylor, N. P. 1991. "The genus Melocactus (Cactaceae) in Central and South America." Bradleya 9: 1–80.
7) Hans Till, Rudolf Gruber: "Ein wunderschöner Neufund aus Venezuela: Melocactus schatzlii Till et Gruber." In: Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten. 33:4 68–70. 1982.
8) References
9) Albesiano, S., and J. L. Femandez-Alonso. 2006. “Catalogo comentado de la flora vascular de la franja Tropical (500-1200 m) del Cesión del Río Chicamocha (Boyacá-Santander, Colombia).” Primera parte. Caldasia. 28(1): 23-34.
10) Backeberg, C. 1960. “Die Cactaceae.” Bd. IV. Gustav Fischer Verlag: Jena (Germany).
11) Backeberg, C. 1977. “Cactus Lexicon.” Blandford Press: Dorset (England).
12) Britton, N. L., and J. N. Rose. 1922. “The Cactaceae.” Vol. 3. Camegie Institute: Washington.
13) Cárdenas, M. 1967. “Las Cactáceas de Lobo Guerrero en Colombia.” Cact. Suc. Mex. 12(3): 54-59.
14) Figueroa-C., Y., and G. Galeano. 2007. “Lista comentada de las plastas vasculares del enclave seco interandino de la Tatacoa (Huila, Colombia).” Caldasia. 29(2): 263-281.
15)
16) Femandez-Alonso, J. L., and G. Xhonneux. 2002a. “Taxonomic News & Synopsis of the genus Melocactus Link & Otto (Cactaceae) in Colombia.” Int. Cact. Adventums. 56: 2-15. . 2002b.
17) Femandez-Alonso, J. L., and G. Xhonneux. “Novedades taxonomicas y synopsis del género Melocactus Link & Otto (Cactaceae) en Colombia.” Rev. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Exact. Fís. Nat. 26(100): 353-365.
18) Wanie, J. A. 1982. “Bemeskungen über Melocactus loboguerreroi.” Kakt. and. Sukk. 33(4): 78-79. .
19) Gruber, R. 1982. “Venezuela- ein fast unbekanntes Kakteenland 2.” Kakt. and. Sukk. 33(10): 212-215.
20) Gruber, R. 1983. “Venezuela- ein fast unbekanntes Kakteenland 3.” Kakt. and. Suldc. 34(1): 12-15.
21) Gruber, R. 1984. “Venezuela- ein fast unbekanntes Kakteenland 4.” Kakt. and. Sukk. 35(4): 84-87.
22) Otero, F. 1968. “Esploración de unas Zonas Cactológicas de Colombia.” Cact. Suc. Mex. 13(3): 58-60.
23) Para-O., C. 2006. “Estudio general de la vegetación nativa de Puesto Careto (Vichada, Colombia).” Caldasia. 28(2): 173.
24) Riha, J. 1981. “Melocactus mazelianus Riha- Eine neme Art aus dem Stromgebiet des Rio Orinoco in Venezuela.” Kakt. and. Suk-k-. 32(9): 214-217.
25) Ruiz, A., J. Cavelier, M. Santos, and P.J. Soriano. 2002. “Cacti in the Dry Formations of Colombia.” In: “Columnar Cacti and Their Mutualista.” Fleming, T.H., and A. Valiente-Banuet (eds.). 324-341.
26) Taylor, N. P. 1991. “The genus Melocactus (Cactaceae) in Central and South America.” Bradleya. 9: 1-80.
27) Taylor, N. P. 1991. 2003. “Nomenclatural adjustments and notes on Melocactus.” Cact. Syst. Init. 16: 13-15.
28) Till, H., and R. Gruber 1982. “Ein wunderschóner Neufünd aus Venezuela: Melocactus schatzlii Till et Gmber.” Kakt. and. Sukk. 33(4): 68-70.
29) Trujillo, B. 1997. “Cactaceae. In: Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana.” Vol. 3. Beny, P.E, B.K. Holst, and K. Yatskievych (eds.). Miss. Bot. Ga•d., St. Louis. 732-749.
30) Trujillo, B., and M. Ponce. 1988. “Lista-inventario de Cactaceae silvestres en Venezuela con sinonimia y otros aspectos relacionados.” Ernstia. 47: 1-20.

Cultivation and Propagation: These cacti are not the easiest things to grow and aren’t plants for beginners. It grows from April to October, it can’t endure long stretches of total dryness, and also too much water will rot it, as its weak root systems tends to be inefficient at sucking up water from wet soil. Nonetheless, again as a result of their tropical origins, they need a fair amount of water, but allow the soil to dry quite a bit before watering again. Melocactus rests from October to April but can’t stand cold, or even fairly cool temperatures, so is indispensable to keep it above 8-12°C at all times, severe damage or death occurring at temperatures that the great majority of cacti wouldn’t mind in the least and prefer more frequent water in winter than other cacti, say once a month. Do not feed in winter.
The root system is weak and generally resents being repotted and can take a long time to re-establish. The soil mix should be very quick draining, prefers very bright light, not as much as the most arid growing cacti, but plenty nonetheless.
Propagation: Exclusively by Seeds. Sow in February-march in a light, sandy, porous soil. Cover germinating tray with glass to prevent seed from drying out. Germination is most successful at a temperature of 18 to 22° C.