Xerophyte

Seeds

Large, black, numerous.

Description

Epiphyllum phyllanthusSN|8523]]SN|8523]] is a much branched epiphytic cactus, with thin and leaf-like stems segments, sometimes 3-winged. The flowers are slender and scented, up to 30 cm long, white in colour, nocturnal and sweetly scented, the flower-tube is greatly elongated (much longer than the limb). The epiphytic, leafless aspect of these plants makes them hard to confuse with other cactus species. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. rubrocoronatum (Kimnach) Bauer.

Flowers

7,5 to 30 cm long, 4.5-23 cm in diameter, borne on flattened portions of the stem. The slender perianth-tube much longer than the limb (2 to 9 times longer), straight on erect stems, and strongly curved on pendent stems. Outer perianth segments greenish yellow tinged with red, inner perianth segments narrow 2.5-10 mm broad, white to cream. Scales on flower-tube few, minute, spreading. Filaments short. Style long, slender, rose-pink or white. Stigma-lobes about 10 short, white.

Chromosome Number

2n = 22

Spines

Wanting in mature plants, but represented in seedlings and juvenile forms by slender bristles.

Stem

Primary stems round elongated, terete in cross section or 3-angled below for 50-100 cm or more, often branched, then flattened for 100 cm. Joints (secondary stems) arising from the flattened portion of the primary stems, round in cross section to three-angled basally for only 2 cm, then flattened and linear, for 25-50 cm long, 3-10 cm wide, light to medium green with a very definite purple margin, stiff to flexible, with prominent midribs, marginally lobed and toothed, the teeth obtuse.

Fruits

Ellipsoidal to ovoid, 3 to 9 cm long, smooth, somewhat 8-ribbed, bright red to purple; pulp white, sweet and sticky.

Areoles

Small, borne along the margins of the flattened branches sometimes with hairs, usually with only cream-coloured wool.