Xerophyte

Description

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoidesSN|32886]]SN|32886]] is an epiphytic plant with strong stems covered by tiny branchlets. Initially this plant grows erect, later it is pendent, branching free. The main branches are elongated, cylindrical and woody, up to 20 cm long and 1 to 2 mm in diameter. The white flowers appear at areoles of the branchlets. The berries which adorn the leafy segmented stems are white and almost transparent.

Note

The shoots are reminiscent of the plants of the genus Mesembryanthemum, hence the epithet mesembryanthemoides.

Flowers

Buds small, pinkish. Flowers solitary borne laterally on the shorter segments, opening in early morning, rather large, 8 mm long, 15 mm broad, white or light pink. Perianth segments 5, spreading, acute. Stamens about 20, erect, white. Style white. Stigma-lobes 3, white.

Stem

Branches very dissimilar sending out roots from different points. Primary branches (extension shoots) elongated, slender, terete, 10-20 cm long, 1-2 mm in diameter, more or less setose, often basally woody and covered by greyish bark, rough, with the scars of fallen branchlets, and covered with short stubby branchlets. These branchlets (joints or secondary branches), numerous, arising in mesotonic position (shoots nearest the middle of the main stem) and more or less uniform, usually less than 7-15 mm long, 2-4 mm in diameter, stubby, green, round in cross section more or less angled, often with short hairs from the small areoles.

Fruits

Spherical to short-oblong, 5-6 mm long, white or tinged with red. Perianth parts persistent.