Myrtillocactus geometrizans
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Myrtillocactus geometrizans (bilberry cactus, whortleberry cactus, blue myrtle cactus, or blue candle) is a species of cactus in the genus Myrtillocactus, native to central and northern Mexico.Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?435345 Myrtillocactus geometrizans] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614024840/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?435345 |date=2012-06-14 }}
Description
Myrtillocactus geometrizans is a large shrubby cactus growing to 4–5 m tall, with candelabra-like branching on mature plants. The individual stems are 6–10 cm diameter, with five (occasionally six) ribs, with areoles spaced 1.5–3 cm apart. The flowers are creamy white, 2–2.5 cm diameter. They last less than one day. The fruit is an edible dark purple berry 1–2 cm diameter, superficially resembling Vaccinium myrtillus (bilberry or whortleberry) fruit; both the scientific and English names derive from this resemblance.Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan {{ISBN|0-333-47494-5}}.
Cultivation
It is a popular species in cultivation, where young plants commonly remain unbranched for many years. The fruit is edible, and sold for consumption in Mexico.
The bilberry cactus is fast growing, and is often used as grafting stock because of this. With favourable conditions it can reach heights of up to 15 feet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Myrtillocactus_geom.html|title=Blue Candle, Whortleberry Cactus (Myrtillocactus geometrizans)|website=www.desert-tropicals.com}}
The fukurokuryuzinboku(福禄竜神木) cultivar from Japan, commonly known as "titty cactus" or "breast cactus," has unusually plump ribs shaped like human breasts.{{Cite web|url=https://worldofsucculents.com/myrtillocactus-geometrizans-fukurokuryuzinboku-breast-cactus/|title=Myrtillocactus geometrizans 'Fukurokuryuzinboku' – Breast Cactus|last=|first=|date=December 14, 2017|website=World of Succulents|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=September 14, 2019}} Fukurokuryuzinboku, roughly translates to fortune (fuku), fief/happy (roku), dragon (ryu), Shinto god/spirit (jin), tree (boku).{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=福禄竜神木|url=http://qusamura.com/item/%e7%a6%8f%e7%a6%84%e7%ab%9c%e7%a5%9e%e6%9c%a8-4/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=|website=}} It was named after Fukurokuju and Ryujin, two of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese mythology.
The glorp cultivar discovered in 2020 has an alien looking stem with mutated ribs. It is a very popular clone of myrtillocactus that has been mass propagated via grafting. This cultivar also commonly Fasciate or crests.Cite web|title=Myrtillocactus geometrizans cv. 'Glorp'|url=https://www.sanpedrosource.com/products/glorp-myrtillocactus-geometrizans-glorp?srsltid=AfmBOorRf8SWAFFjyAgbFxjRYtsdBdVEyokG3gAIENlK3uwQL6tWMLrQ
References
{{Commons|Myrtillocactus geometrizans}}
{{Reflist}}
File:MartillocactusUNAM.JPG Botanical Garden, Mexico City.]]
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Category:Flora of Northwestern Mexico
Category:Flora of Northeastern Mexico