Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. variegatus
( variegata)
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. variegatus
Author
hort.
Chinese genus
龙神柱属
Chinese name
-
Accepted
DescriptionEdit description
Description
The classical Myrtillocactus geometrizansSN|8050]]SN|8050]] ( a.k.a. “Blue Candle Cactus”) is a highly branched columnar candelabra like tree cactu swith very characteristic waxy blue stems growing closely together. In nature grows up to 4.5 m tall, with the crown reaching up to 5 m in width.
Flowers
Rather smaller (2.5-3.7 cm) in relation to stem, greenish white.
Blooming Season
March. Starts blooming when it is about 60 cm tall.
Spines
Each areole may have up to 5-9 spines, but generally they have 3-5 spines about 5-12 mm long but not awful.
Stem
Glaucous (blue grey) with sectors, patches or stripes with distinct shades of yellow. Up to 4-8 cm thick. They have 5-8 ribs with areoles about 2.5 cm apart.
Variegated Form
The variegated cultivars Myrtillocactus geometrizansSN|8050]]SN|8050]] f. variegatus has sectors, patches or stripes with distinct shades of yellow. A very few variegated plants sprout unpredictably time by time among normal green seedling and are very rare. Plants with variegated stems are often attractive and highly prized. It seems to be a pretty variable plant with several and variously coloured clones.
Fruits
Very sweet, edible, dark red, oblong fruits 8-20 mm in diameter.