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Myrtillocactus geometrizans

Accession Count: 2
Common Name: blue candle, blue myrtle-cactus
Family Name: Cactaceae
Botanical Name: Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Cereus geometrizans
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Myrtillocactus geometrizans is a columnar, upright cactus that becomes tree-like with age, resembling a candelabra (1, 2). The thick stems are blueish-gray in color, each with 5-8 ribs, and eventually form an architectural structure (1). Along the stems are areoles that bear 5-9 black radial and central spines (1, 2, 3). When the cacti nears two years of age it will form showy greenish-white flowers that will become dark red in color (1), and lead to dark red or blue, sweet, oblong fruits (3, 4).
Compound: Myr geo
Geographic Origin: Mexico
Ecozone Origin: Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: M. geometrizans was first discovered in 1837 by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, who dubbed the plant Cereus geometrizans (5). In 1897, the cacti was found to belong to the Myrtillocactus genus, and the name was changed to Myrtillocactus geometrizans by the Italian botanist Michelangelo Console (6). The new genus, Myrtillocactus, is named for the Greek word myrtillus, meaning small myrtle, an evergreen shrub. Meanwhile, the specific epithet geometrizans refers to the geometric patterns produced by the plant’s ribs (7). 
The blue fruit of M. geometrizans has historically been a popular product in Mexican markets, but in 2003 trade of this cacti was controlled in order to prevent endangering the survival of other species (8, 6).
Cultivation Notes: M. geometrizans cacti should be kept in full sun to encourage growth, except when young, where instead plants should receive light shade (7). Water regularly in summer, but allow the soil to completely dry out in between waterings. During the winter months, protect from frost and water sparingly. If keeping as a potted plant, repot at least every other year in order to allow the proper room for growth (3). 
Myrtillocactus geometrizans can be propagated from seed, or from woody or softwood cuttings during the summer months (9, 3). If propagating from cuttings, allow the surface to completely callous over before planting in soil, and keep very dry to encourage rooting (4, 3).
Ethnobotany: The blue berries produced by Myrtillocactus geometrizans are called garambullos, and have been an important staple for many indigenous people, including the Apache, Papago, Tewa, and Ute, who ate fresh or dried the berry to sweeten pinole – corn porridge. The Diegueño people of southern California dispatch their children to sell the fruit (10). In Mexico, the fruits of M. geometrizans are wildly consumed and cultivated (7), in addition to being used as a remedy for inflammation by the indigenous Mixtec and Otomí people (11). In cultivation it is popular to use M. geometrizans as a rootstock for large and robust species of rare or slow-growing cacti. Grafting with M. geometrizans has been considered very successful (12).
Height: 11 - 15 feet
Width: 6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate Growing
Grow Season: Spring
Flower Season: Spring
Color: White
Function: Accent
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Tender
Water Use: Low water Use
Citations:
1. Horticulture Unlimited. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
2. AMWUA One for Water. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
3. Cactus Art Nursery. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
4. Arizona State University. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
5. Cereus geometrizans Mart. ex Pfeiff. Tropicos. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
6. !Myrtillocactus geometrizans (Mart. ex Pfeiff.) Console. Tropicos. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
7. Plant Care Today. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
8. iNaturalist. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
9. Dave’s Garden. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
11. DE GRUYTER. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
12. Henry Shaw Cactus and Succulent Society. Retrieved May 7th, 2020.
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Myrtillocactus geometrizans