Growth form, ribs and spines
Field descriptions report mature plants about 2–5 m tall. Numerous ascending or slightly curved branches develop above a short trunk. Young stems are strongly bluish, while older ones are greener. Widely spaced areoles occur along the broad ribs. Several shorter radial spines surround a central spine that is long and laterally flattened in some plants. [Britton and Rose 1920] [Aguilar-García et al. 2018]
Distribution and conservation
The native range is Mexico. POWO classifies Spanish occurrences as introduced. The conservation information presents an IUCN assessment of LC, Least Concern. This assessment concerns the species across its range. [2-WWW]
Flowers and their orientation
Flowers are small relative to the plant, with pale tepals and numerous stamens. A study in Zapotitlán Salinas compared north-facing and south-facing flowers. Southern flowers had more anthers and pollen grains, among other differences. Their pollen also showed higher viability in the assay used and better laboratory germination. The results describe an association within the studied population, with greater resource availability under stronger illumination proposed as an explanation. [Aguilar-García et al. 2018]
Visitors to flowers and fruits
At four sites in the Barranca de Metztitlán and Tehuacán-Cuicatlán reserves, a sample of 120 flowers yielded 106 arthropod morphospecies. These included potential pollinators, herbivores and predators. A morphospecies is a group distinguished by appearance before complete taxonomic identification. Presence on a flower documents visitation, while pollination effectiveness requires additional measurements of pollen transfer and reproduction. [Islas-Barrios et al. 2021]
Fruits provide another seasonal resource. At two localities in the Mezquital Valley, daytime sampling of 60 plants recorded 93 arthropod morphospecies on fruits. Some animals consumed the pulp, while others found shelter or prey. Assemblage composition differed between localities and distances from buildings. [Sanjuan-Trejo et al. 2021]
Stomata and chromosome variation
Stomata are epidermal pores regulated by a pair of guard cells. In a study of 20 populations of this species, they were surrounded by parallel subsidiary cells, a parallelocytic arrangement. Stomatal density was greater in the apical part of a branch than in its middle region, while average length was similar. The comparison therefore considered both plant origin and the developmental stage of the stem region examined. [Hernández et al. 2007]
Plants from three populations in Hidalgo, Puebla and Querétaro had 22 chromosomes. However, chromosome size and the distribution of satellites, small segments separated by secondary constrictions, differed. In the Querétaro material satellites occurred on two chromosome pairs, compared with one pair in the other populations. These are documented differences within the species. [Cid and Palomino 1996]
Stem propagation for planting
An experiment in Guanajuato used stem cuttings 20–50 cm long. Before planting, they were kept in shade with ventilation for 15–20 days to allow cut surfaces to dry. Direct field planting was compared with prior rooting in nurseries. Nursery material passed through a year of preparation before rooted cuttings were moved to the site. The results concern plantings in the local climate and separate stages of plant survival. [Rivera Vázquez et al. 2022]
Scale insects, ants and natural enemies
At Zequetejé in Hidalgo, researchers studied the soft scale Toumeyella martinezae, which feeds on the stems. Insect presence was associated with reduced branch growth and fewer buds and flowers. Ants of Liometopum apiculatum consumed the scales’ honeydew and protected them. Restricting ant access increased the proportion of scales attacked by the parasitoid Mexidalgus toumeyellus. This illustrates interactions across several feeding levels on one plant. [Callejas-Chavero et al. 2023]
The armoured scale Lepidosaphes beckii was also confirmed in San Luis Potosí. The authors observed colonies on shaded stem regions and yellowish patches where insects were more abundant. This is a local host record useful for comparing identified pests. [Heinz-Castro et al. 2021]
Fruit composition
Fruits analysed from Guanajuato and Querétaro contained betalain pigments and phenolic compounds, including identified gallic acid, caffeic acid and vanillin. The study also examined dietary fibre, minerals and ascorbic acid. Extract antioxidant activity was measured using the chemical TEAC assay. The result characterizes the sample and laboratory method. [Guzmán-Maldonado et al. 2010]
Related articles
Materials from the author's archive
The species also appears in Konrad Szychowski's private material archive. [Hernández Martínez and Sánchez Martínez 2002] [Hernández-Oria et al. 2003] [Kaktusy i Inne 2004] [Kaktusy i Inne 2005a] [Modrakowski 2005]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Cereus aquicaulensis · Cereus garambello · Cereus geometrizans · Cereus geometrizans var. pugionifer · Cereus geometrizans var. quadrangularispinus · Cereus gladiator · Cereus gladiator var. geometrizans · Cereus pugionifer · Cereus pugionifer var. quadrangulispinus · Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. cristatus · Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. hintonii · Myrtillocactus geometrizans var. grandiareolatus · Myrtillocactus geometrizans var. pugionifera · Myrtillocactus grandiareolatus · Myrtillocactus hertrichii · Myrtillocactus pugionifer [2-WWW]