Myrtillocactus

Morphological Summary

Genus of columnar cacti from Mexico and Guatemala, family Cactaceae. Characterized by arboreal or shrubby blue-green columnar stems, closely spaced areoles, small white or cream flowers in clusters of 5–9 per areole, and tiny blue-black clustered fruits (resembling blueberries or bilberries — hence the name: "Myrtillus" = bilberry + "cereus" = columnar cactus). The fruits, called "garambullos" in Mexico, are edible and widely marketed. Key in pollination and seed dispersal in Mexican xerophytic scrublands.