Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
cochal
Family Name:
Cactaceae
Botanical Name:
Myrtillocactus cochal
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
This cactus is native to the Baja California peninsula of Mexico. It has tiny greenish-white flowers and is a large sprawling shrub or small tree. When mature it will have many compact, branched arms from a short woody trunk. The branches are slender, all nearly uniform in size up to 9 cm in diameter. They tend to grow erect or curved inward like semi-arcs toward the center of the plant. Generally bluish-green in colour and have 6-8 obtuse ribs separated by shallow intervals. Usually the M. cochal lives only a few decades. (1).
Compound:
Myr coc
Geographic Origin:
Baja California
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Cochal can be found in bloom year-round. Tiny greenish-white flowers attract insects and birds, especially hummingbirds, as pollinators. (1).
Cultivation Notes:
M. cochal is not hardy, sensitive to freezing temperatures. Drought resistant and prefers a well-drained soil. During the winter months they should be rather kept dry and water is restricted to only enough to keep the stems and branches from shrivelling. The M. cochal is a large sized plant and needs plenty of space for their roots. (1).
Ethnobotany:
Commonly referred to as the "candelabra cactus," the cochal is prized for its fruit. The red fruits are about the size of a marble and have an acidic flavor similar to currants. They can be eaten in many forms, including drinks, empañadas, candies, and desserts. (1). The small fruit is said to have a flavor similar to strawberries and is a cool treat even on a hot day. The stems were used as fuel. (2).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
Growth Rate:
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Color:
White
Function:
Spread:
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Water Use:
Citations:
1.
The Encyclopedia of Cacti.2. Castetter, Edward Franklin, and Willis Harvey Bell. "The aboriginal utilization of the tall cacti in the American Southwest." (1937).
