Heavily branching candalabra-like columnar cactus which is native to Baja California, ranging from just south of Ensenada to the Cape region. Blue-green stems with 6-8 ribs, 0-1 central spine, ~5 radial spines. Smallish greenish white flowers with profuse stamens and berry-like red fruit. Named for this fruit (cochal), which is tasty. Found in different rainfall areas (northern side = winter rainfall, southern side = summer/fall rainfall). In cultivation rather opportunistic, highly durable, nice and branchy. Potential size is about 6-10 feet.

Compare to the similar-looking M. geometrizans, a more widespread native of north-central mainland Mexico (but not BC), which looks similar and also makes a tasty fruit.

This is one of the parents of the exotic natural hybrid xMyrtgerocactus lindsayi, along with the golden-spined Bergerocactus emoryi, a native of NW BC and SW CA. This intergeneric hybrid is quite rare.

Reply to this comment