Myrtillocactus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Ordo: Caryophyllales

Familia: Cactaceae
Subfamilia: Cactoideae
Tribus: Phyllocacteae
Subtribus: Echinocereinae
Genus: Myrtillocactus
Species: M. cochal – M. eichlamii – M. geometrizans – M. schenckii
Name

Myrtillocactus Console, 1897
Synonyms

Homotypic
Myrtillocereus Frič & Kreuzgr., Verz. Amer. Sukk. Rev. Syst. Kakteen 11. 1935, nom. inval.

Note:

Myrtillocactus hertrichii Houghton (J. Cact. Succ. Soc. Amer. 1: 136. 1930) is unvolved.

References

USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Myrtillocactus in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 2010-Oct-05.
Myrtillocactus – Taxon details on National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Vernacular names
suomi: Härmekaktukset
svenska: Blåbärskaktussläktet

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 Fric & 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]
See also

Myrtgerocactus - a natural hybrid involving Myrtillocactus cochal

References

Anderson, Miles (2008). The Complete Illustrated Guide to Growing Cacti & Succulents. London: Lorenz Books. p. 94. ISBN 9780754818427.
Hecht, Hans (1994), Cacti & Succulents, New York: Sterling Publishing, p. 61, ISBN 978-0-8069-0549-5