monk's head

plural monk's heads

1. archaicThe dandelion.First known use 15th c.
2. A cactus of the genus Melocactus, endemic to Brazil.

   Across the front flaps of bornais and along the cracked brims of the men's hats, she sewed green appliquéd circles resembling the monk's-head cactus.

   2008, Frances de Pontes Peebles, The Seamstress

   1 more example

   [A] quarter of a goat is going for thirty and forty milreis, a loaf of hard brown sugar for twenty, a cupful of manioc flour for five, an imbuzeiro root or a ‘monk's head’ cactus with edible pulp for one and even two milreis.

   1984, Mario Vargas Llosa, translated by Helen R. Lane, The War of the End of the World, Folio Society, published 2012, page 538