Xerophyte

Leaves

Broad, acuminate.

Seeds

Light brown to black, 1.8 mm long.

Description

Lepismium cruciformeSN|8388]]SN|8388]] is a saxicolous or epiphytic cactus semierect or creeping over rocks. The stems segments of which freely rooting, appressed, somewhat branching and turning magenta in summer given adequate light. Plants produce diminutive white or pink flowers followed by beadlike, purple-pink fruit. Lepismium cruciformeSN|8388]]SN|8388]] is variable and a number of varieties have been proposed.

Stem Segments

Foliaceous (leaf-like), extremely variable, sometimes 3, 4, or even 5-angled, or flat, linear-lanceolate, to 50 cm long, 2 cm broad, more or less winged, narrowed at base, more or less purplish, especially on edges. Margins distinctly notched.

Flowers

Borne laterally 2 to 5 or even more from an areole. White, cream, yellow, pink, or rarely magenta, reddish-brown on the uotside, 10 to 13 mm Long. Perianth-segments united at base into a short tube. Filaments slender, adnate to flower-tube. Stigma-lobes 4 or 5.

Spines

Absent or nearly so.

Fruits

Globular, juicy, purplish to red, smooth, turgid, translucent, 6 to 12 mm in diameter.

Areoles

Subtended by miniscule scales,sunken in the crenation in the margins, with tufts of white wool.