''Myrtillocactus'' (from
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...
, "blueberry cactus") is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
cacti
A cactus (, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word ''cactus'' derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek ...
. The genus is found from
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
to
Guatemala
Guatemala ( ; ), officially the Republic of Guatemala ( es, República de Guatemala, links=no), is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico; to the northeast by Belize and the Caribbean; to the east by H ...
.
The genus is best known with ''
Myrtillocactus geometrizans
''Myrtillocactus geometrizans'' (bilberry cactus, whortleberry cactus or blue candle) is a species of cactus in the genus '' Myrtillocactus'', native to central and northern Mexico.Germplasm Resources Information Network''Myrtillocactus geometriz ...
''.
The genus ''Myrtillocereus''
Fric & Kreuz. (orth. var.) has been brought into
synonymy
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are all ...
with this genus.
Description
The largest plants in this genus can grow as tall as 5 meters.
This cactus tends to flower in the summer and creates edible purple berries.
Extant Species
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.
It is recommended that species should be kept dry and not under in winter.
[
]
There are many cultivar varieties from monstrose or crested forms.
See also
*''
Myrtgerocactus'' - a natural
hybrid
Hybrid may refer to:
Science
* Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding
** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species
** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...
involving ''
Myrtillocactus cochal
''Myrtillocactus cochal'', the candelabra cactus (a name it shares with other plants), is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Baja California. Individuals can reach , and are hardy to USDA zone
A hardiness zone is ...
''
References
Cactoideae genera
Cacti of Mexico
Flora of Guatemala
{{Cactus-stub