Myrtillocactus eichlamii explained

Myrtillocactus eichlamii is a species of Myrtillocactus found in Guatemala.[1]

Description

Myrtillocactus eichlamii grows tree-shaped with upright, striking blue-green to deep green, glaucous shoots and forms a distinct trunk. It has 6 blunt ribs with large, gray areoles spaced up to 2 centimeters apart. The central spine can reach up to 7 centimeters long, while the approximately 5 marginal spines are shorter and swollen at their base.

The creamy white flowers are 4 centimeters long and 3.5 to 5.5 centimeters in diameter, with a very short flower tube. The spherical, purple to red fruits are edible and covered with a whitish wax.[2]

Distribution

Myrtillocactus eichlamii is widespread in Guatemala.

Taxonom

The species was first described in 1920 by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose.[3] The specific epithet eichlamii honors the German cactus collector Friedrich Eichlam.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Myrtillocactus eichlamii Britton & Rose . Plants of the World Online . 2024-01-03.
  2. Book: Anderson, Edward F. . Eggli . Urs . Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon . Ulmer . Stuttgart (Hohenheim) . 2005 . 3-8001-4573-1 . de . 437.
  3. Web site: Britton . Nathaniel Lord . Eaton . Mary E. . Rose . J. N. . Wood . Helen Adelaide . The Cactaceae . Carnegie Institution of Washington . v.2 . 1919 . 10.5962/bhl.title.46288 . 2024-06-24.