Badmin: Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Myrtillocactus | image = Myrtillocactus_geometrizans.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Echinocereeae | genus = '''Myrtillocactus''' | authority = Console (1897) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Known for their bluish stems and blueberry-like edible fruits. }} == Etymology == The name is derived from the Greek ''myrtillos'' (bilberry/blueberry), referring to the small, edible d..."

2026-04-10T16:36:53Z

Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Myrtillocactus | image = Myrtillocactus_geometrizans.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Echinocereeae | genus = '''Myrtillocactus''' | authority = Console (1897) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Known for their bluish stems and blueberry-like edible fruits. }} == Etymology == The name is derived from the Greek ''myrtillos'' (bilberry/blueberry), referring to the small, edible d..."

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{{Taxobox
| name = Myrtillocactus
| image = Myrtillocactus_geometrizans.jpg
| kingdom = [[Plantae]]
| family = [[Cactaceae]]
| subfamily = [[Cactoideae]]
| tribe = [[Echinocereeae]]
| genus = '''Myrtillocactus'''
| authority = Console (1897)
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Known for their bluish stems and blueberry-like edible fruits.
}}

== Etymology ==
The name is derived from the Greek ''myrtillos'' (bilberry/blueberry), referring to the small, edible dark blue fruits, combined with ''Cereus''.

== Description ==
'''Myrtillocactus''' consists of large, highly branched, tree-like cacti that can form massive "candelabra" structures.
* '''Stems''': Arched or upright, usually with a striking blue or glaucous (waxy) coating that protects the plant from intense sun. They typically have 5-8 ribs.
* '''Areoles and Spines''': Areoles are well-spaced. Spines are usually few, short, and dark, often with one central spine that is stronger than the others.
* '''Flowers''': Very small compared to the size of the plant, diurnal, and greenish-white. Several flowers often emerge from a single areole at the same time.
* '''Fruits''': Small, globose, dark purple or blue, and fleshy. They are edible and highly prized in Mexico.

== Habitat ==
They dominate the landscapes of the Mexican matorral (scrublands) and high deserts, often growing alongside other giants like ''Lophocereus'' and ''Pachycereus''.

== Distribution ==
* '''Mexico''': Widely distributed from Baja California and Sonora down to Oaxaca.
* '''Guatemala''': Found in the dry valleys.

== Species List ==
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015), the genus includes:
* [[Myrtillocactus cochal]]
* [[Myrtillocactus eichlamii]]
* [[Myrtillocactus geometrizans]] (Type species)
* [[Myrtillocactus schenckii]]

== Taxonomy ==
Joël Lodé (2015) maintains ''Myrtillocactus'' as a distinct genus within the tribe '''Echinocereeae'''. Molecular studies show that they are closely related to ''Escontria'' and ''Polaskia'', forming a specific lineage of North American tree-cacti.

[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Echinocereeae]]

Myrtillocactus - Revision history