Xerophyte

Description

The Easter Cactus Hatiora gaertneriSN|23273]]SN|23273]] is a much branched epiphytic, perennial cactus to 30-40 cm in diameter that features flat stems divided into segments with notched edges. The terminal segments often pendent. Scarlet, 4 cm long flowers appear in profusion in spring and are produced either singly or in groups. It is often offered commercially as Schlumbergera gaertneri because of its superficial resemblance to Schlumbergera × buckleyi (Christmas cactus).

Stem Segments

Joints usually flattened, oblong or elliptic, truncate, but sometimes 3 to 6-angled, fleshy, 4-7 cm long or more by 2 cm broad, dull green with small notches on margins subtending the areoles often purplish.

Flowers

1 to 3, usually all at distal end of the terminal branches, funnelform, actinomorphic (symmetrical), 4-5 cm long, 4-7.5 cm in diameter, dark scarlet (But available in cultivation in several colour variants). Outermost perianth-segments usually 5, short, thick, triangular, drying separately from the others. Outer perianth-segments spreading. Innermost perianth-segments more erect, nearly distinct, acute. All of the segments, except the 5 outer ones, more or less coalesce and withering, remaining on top of ovary. Pericarpel angled. Ovary crowned by a slightly depressed disk or umbilicus with upturned margin, which passes into the flower-tube, on the margin at the base of the tube are borne the free stamens. Style slender, 1.5 cm. long, red. Stigma-lobes 6, linear, cream-colored. Ovary dark red, angled, 12 mm long.

Blooming Season

Late winter or early spring .

Chromosome Number

Hatiora gaertneriSN|23273]]SN|23273]] is a diploid species with a chromosome number of 2n = 2x = 22 .

Fruits

Dull red, oblong, 15 mm. long, depressed at apex, in cultivation ripening Summer.

Areoles

Small, with short white wool and a few brownish or yellowish bristles that sometimes appear beardlike at the tips, these deciduous. New joints and flower-buds arising from the apical areoles.