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

Distribution

Growth period

Winter period

Substrat

Habitat

Mexico
Puebla, Veracruz in 1500–1850 m (4921–6070 ft) altitude

Description

leaf flower similar Epiphyllum
epiphytic, hanging, sprouts long, first round, than flat, lanceolate acuminate, slight notched,
green, midribs and sideribs clear visible, on the sprout tips often air roots,
flowers 8–9 cm (3.1–3.5 in) long, not wide opens, numerous, from April to June,
pink, outer perianth parts somewhat narrow and darker, tube with scales,
stamens and stigma white,
fruits when ripe carmine red, fragrant
seeds brown-black

Synonyms

CITES