Mitrocereus militaris
(Audot) Bravo
Cactaceae
Backebergia chrysomallus (Lem.) Bravo
Backebergia militaris (Audot) Bravo ex Sánchez-Mej.
Cephalocereus chrysomallus (Hemsl.) K.Schum.
Cephalocereus militaris (Audot) H.E.Moore
Cereus militaris Audot
Mitrocereus chrysomallus (Lem.) Backeb.
Pachycereus chrysomallus (Hemsl.) Britton & Rose
Pachycereus militaris (Audot) D.R.Hunt
Pilocereus chrysomallus Lem.
Pilocereus militaris Salm-Dyck
Common Name:
General Information
Mitrocereus militaris is a spiny, evergreen, columnar cactus. A tree-like plant, it produces a single upright stem when young, but later branches freely and can eventually form an almost solid mass around 12 - 18 metres tall and 5 metres in diameter[
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Mitrocereus militaris has a total population size that is is estimated to be less than 9,000. Although it is a wide ranging species, the subpopulations are naturally rare and isolated and total populations size is small, with all isolated subpopulations having less that 15 mature individuals each. Ongoing threats to the habitat are resulting in a decline in the population. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
Range
Southern N. America - southwest Mexico (Guerrero, Jalisco and Michoacán)
Habitat
Tropical deciduous forest[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 15.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Mitrocereus militaris is native to semi-arid tropical regions of southern Mexico with seasonal rainfall and a distinct dry season. Although it comes from a year around warm area, it is somewhat cold tolerant and will take occasional light frost for short periods[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit[
1990- Title
- Cacti Biology and Uses
- Publication
-
- Author
- Nobel, Park S. (Editor)
- Publisher
- University of California Press; Berkeley, California
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 0-520-23157-0
- Description
- A lot of information about the uses and cultivation of Cacti native to central Mexico
]. (as Backebergia militaris). The fruits are fleshy when young, but become dry at maturity[
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
