Epiphyllum Haworth (1812)

(Greek epi = on; Greek phyllon = leaf)
leaf cactus
because the flowers appear at the leaf like, flattened sprouts and the plants grow often on trees
epiphyte, sprouts thin, narrow, 2- 3-edged
wild forms excepting the seedlings with less spines; only some bristles
flowers in the night, very long tubes, ovary bald, fruits red
fruit flesh adhesive, white or red; seed inside the fruit flesh, black

 Highslide JS
 

Distribution

 from Mexico over Central America to Argentinia
tropical rain forrests and humid warm climate zones

Growth period

 half shady to shady but bright
a location outdoor is very good, e. g. in the shade under bushes or trees
needs constant mild humidity, the sprouts often spraying with water
humid warm location

Winter period

 light and mild humid at 10–15°C (50–59°F)

Substrat

 with many humus and some parts of peat and gravel
   
Epiphyllum laui Kimnach (1990)
 
Highslide JS
   Highslide JS   Highslide JS
         

Habitat

Mexico
Chiapas - cool forrest in around 2200 m (7218 ft) altitude

Description

named after Alfred B. Lau
plants vigorous, rampant vines, both epiphytes and lithophytes
stems branching basally or laterally, narrow and cylindrical basally to 1–2 cm (0.4–0.8 in) Ø,
the rest flattened, soft, linear, shiny green, the tips tinged reddish or brownish when young,
5–7 cm (2–2.8 in) wide, with prominent midrips, marginally lobed and undulate
1–5 spines, hairlike, brownish yellow, 0.3–0.5 cm (0.12–0.2 in) long
flowers open in the evening, remaining open for at least 2 days,
funnelform, 15–16 cm (5.9–6.3 in) long, 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) Ø
outer perianth parts reddish orange to yellow, inner white with yellowish tint
fruits oblong, carmine red 4–8 cm (1.6–3.1 in) long

Synonyms

 -

CITES

 Appendix II
 
 

 

 

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