Myrtillocactus

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Myrtillocactus
Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Echinocereeae
Genus: Myrtillocactus
Console
Species

Myrtillocactus cochal
Myrtillocactus geometrizans - whortleberry cactus
etc.

Myrtillocactus (from Latin, "blueberry cactus") is a genus of cacti. The genus is found from Mexico to Guatemala.[1] The genus is best known with Myrtillocactus geometrizans.

The genus Myrtillocereus

Kreuz. (orth. var.) has been brought into synonymy
with this genus.

Description

The largest plants in this genus can grow as tall as 5 meters.[1] This cactus tends to flower in the summer and creates edible purple berries.[1]

Extant species

Image Scientific name Common name Distribution
Myrtillocactus cochal (Orcutt) Britton & Rose Cochal, Candelabra Cactus Baja California peninsula of Mexico.
Myrtillocactus eichlamii Britton & Rose Guatemala
Myrtillocactus geometrizans (Mart. ex Pfeiff.) Console bilberry cactus, whortleberry cactus or blue candle central and northern Mexico
Myrtillocactus schenckii (J.A.Purpus) Britton & Rose Garambullo, Vichishovo Guatemala; Mexico (Chiapas, Oaxaca, Puebla)

Cultivation

The cuttings, which will grow quickly, from this cactus need to be taken when the temperature is high enough or the cuttings will not root.[1] It is recommended that species should be kept dry and not under 8 °C (46 °F) in winter.[2]

There are many cultivar varieties from monstrose or crested forms.

See also

References

  1. ^ .
  2. ^ Hecht, Hans (1994), Cacti & Succulents, New York: Sterling Publishing, p. 61,