Interesting and Rare Tropical Plants
Epiphyllum species and select hybrids; plus other "jungle cacti"

Epiphyllum

(Orchid Cactus)

& Related Genera

FLOWER SIZES

In the listings on this page, the sizes for Epiphyllum flowers are described as follows:

• ( S ) = small, 2"-4" wide
• ( M ) = medium, 4"-5" wide
• ( L ) = large, 6"-8" wide
• ( XL ) = extra large, over 8" wide (some are up to 12" wide)

Epiphyllums are true cacti but are more often labeled as "Epicacti" or "jungle cacti" to differentiate them from desert flora. Many plant lovers also call them "orchid cacti" because of the very large and colorful flowers. Epiphyllum species are found in the jungles of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central & South America.

Jungle cacti are the pinnacle of cacti evolution... having moved into the treetops to exploit that unique environment -- the same one occupied by many orchids. Like orchids, epiphyllums have evolved into epiphytic plants which live on the surface of other plants. Epiphytes take their nourishment from the environment and not from their host plant.

Epiphyllums are very easy to grow. Propagation is primarily by vegetative cuttings, though new hybrids are produced from seed. Most epiphyllums produce long, arching stems that are flat and notched along the margins. The flowers can be up to 10 inches across and are available in nearly every color.

Epiphyllums are a particular bargain, very easy to grow, and extremely rewarding when they flower. These make HUGE flowers that are often fragrant. Some last for several days to a week, others only last one night.

Cuttings are unrooted, but getting them establihsed is very easy. Before they are shipped to you they will be treated with a rooting hormone that promotes rapid root growth. You should let them sit for a week or so to scab over the cut, then plant 1 to 2 inches deep in an Epi potting soil mixture (I use half African violet soil/half cactus sand). Read more about Epiphyllum care and growth conditions.

If you are interested in any of these, just ask. Many are much larger than the size indicated (you get the largest available).

Description

Epiphyllum anguliger

Synonym(s):

• Phyllocactus anguliger
• Phyllocactus darrahii
• Epiphyllum darrahii

( L ) - Great, interestingly lobed foliage (see below).

Common Name(s): Moon Cactus, Queen of the Night (misnomer), Fishbone Cactus, Rick-Rack Cactus, and also Zig-Zag Cactus. You can see why when you look at the foliage. The lobes are more lunate than those of Selenicereus anthonyanus (offered below).

The profusion of common names just goes to show that common names are really pretty useless and that's why we rely on scientific names for accuracy.

An orchid cactus species with many virtues: its unique foliage, freeness to bloom, and evening fragrance are outstanding.

The leaves comprised of a series of deeply cut lobes create a saw tooth effect. It is one of the species that goes by the common name "Ric Rac" Cactus (see S. anthonyanus below for another species that is also known by this name).

Flowers arrive effortlessly from late summer through fall, and best of all it's one species that doesn't need a winter chill to flower. The pure white 3½" blooms, backed by orange-bronze sepals and petals, and buds open over many weeks. Each flower lasts two to three days.

Epiphyllum chrysocardium

synonym: Selenicereus chrysocardium (this is actually the more accurate name, but few people look for it or know it under this name).

( M ) - Great, interestingly lobed foliage (see at right).

Common Name(s): The correct common name for this plant is "fern cactus," but many people confuse it with the Rick-Rack Cactus (aka Zig-Zag Cactus), so you may see it labeled as that if you're at a botanical garden, etc. This just goes to show that common names are really pretty useless and that's why we rely on scientific names for accuracy.

The lobes are more "hooked" (and often pointed at the ends) than those of Selenicereus anthonyanus (offered below).

Epiphyllum cartagense (FAC Weber) Britton & Rose

( L ) - A beautiful species, dear to my heart because it is endemic to Costa Rica, where it occurs on both slopes from Cordillera Guanacaste to Cordillera Talamanca in wet forest, 700-1700 m. Ticos call this plant Plananillo de Monte ("little mountain banana").

Quite rare in collections (I'm one of the only sources on the net), but the highly fragrant flowers and edible fruits make it an excellent plant for warmer gardens and indoor growing.

Night blooming, though flowers often persist into morning (as seen in the photo at right). Extremely fragrant.

Synonym: Phyllocactus cartagensis

Epiphyllum caudatum Britton & Rose

Synonym: Phyllocactus caudatus

Endemic to the region surrounding the city of Oaxaca in the south of Mexico. Oaxaca has a tropical montane type of climate.

Originally, this cactus starts with cylindrical stems; later they flatten, and are only 4 centimetres wide with a wavy edge. These stems branch densely, and become more cylindrical with age. The flower has a tube that is 7 centimetres long, ending in white petals that are 6 centimetres long.

Epiphyllum crenatum (Lem.) H.P.Kelsey & Dayton

Extremely fragrant.

( XL ) -

This species grows as an epiphyte in the tropical rainforests of Guatemala and Honduras.

These rainforests have high humidity, and temperatures that are constant throughout the year.

This species has thick bluish-green branches that are stiff, strong, and exhibit upright growth. Also, they have deep notches at the areoles, and crenate margins.

Sometimes the foliage is scalloped down both sides (the regular E. crenatum species form), and sometimes it is smooth down one edge (the E. crenatum chichicastenango subspecies form). Like all Epiphyllums, the growth habit can be rather variable, even from one branch to another within a single plant.

On these branches grow strongly perfumed flowers that are creamy-white to greenish-yellow, expanding from 12 to 15 centimetres (5 to 6 inches) wide, opening at night, and flowering for many days.

This is a very popular, and well-known species. It has been used in cross pollination with many other genera to produce countless fine hybrids.

Night blooming, though flowers often persist for several days. Extremely fragrant.

Synonyms:

• Marniera macroptera var. kimnachii
• Epiphyllum macropterum
• Phyllocactus crenatus
• Cereus crenatus
• Epiphyllum caulorhizum
• Phyllocactus caulorhizus
• Phyllocactus × cooperi
• Epiphyllum × cooperi
• Epinicereus cooperi
• Seleniphyllum cooperi
  

A special variety of E. crenatum that comes from its namesake region in Guatemala. Unlike the regular species (the bottom blade in the foliage picture above) this variety is often smooth down a portion of one side (the top blade in the foliage image above).

A very uncommon species that is hard to come by. A must for every collector. As the name implies, it produces LOTS of flowers.

Still growing... but will be available shortly....

Send me an email if you'd like to be notified when these are available.

Still growing... but will be available shortly....

pictures coming soon. Send me an email if you'd like to be notified when these are available.

This is the correct taxonomic name for this species, but it is more commonly known by its synonym: E. strictum (see below for the actual listing).

Click the link above to see the listing for this species.

• Cereus hookeri Link & Otto 1828

• Epiphyllum hookeri (Link & Otto) Haw. 1829

• Epiphyllum phyllanthus var. hookeri (Link & Otto) Kimnach 1964
  
• Epiphyllum stenopetalum (C.F.Först.) Britton & Rose 1913
  
• Epiphyllum strictum (Lem.) Britton & Rose 1913
  
• Phyllocactus hookeri (Link & Otto) Salm-Dyck 1842
  
• Phyllocactus stenopetalus C.F.Först. 1846
  

• Phyllocactus strictus Lem. 1854

   

  Available?	Size	Price does not include S/H
  Yes	8 inch cutting	$12
  Yes	12 inch rooted	$22
  Yes	24 inch rooted, with side growths	$30

   

Epiphyllum oxypetalum

Night-blooming Cereus, the "Queen of the Night"

very sweetly
fragrant

click the pictures to
see larger images

This is the primary ancestral parent of most of the various hybrids you see on this page... they're all the results of crosses with Arpophyllum and other cactus genera to add assorted colors to the flowers.

Each flower lasts only one night. Poems and songs have been written about this species and the beauty of its transient blossoms.

A very special plant that is an event to watch bloom… we always have friends over for dinner if there's going to be an impressive bloom of multiple buds… people are invariably awed by experiencing this unique night blooming plant, especially the speed with which the flowers open once they get cranking.

A mature plant will bloom several times in a single season. This year my big plant had 4 distinct blooming periods, spread over a three month season, each with 6 or more flowers opening on a single night, plus many more nights with just a couple flowers opening.

Plant is an upright grower, with trailing stems and climbers (as it gets larger) that may require support. It can be trained to climb a trellis, tree, balcony railing, or fence. It grows quickly into a specimen.

Some additional E. oxypetalum pictures (click image to see an enlargement):

Epiphyllum phyllanthus var. phyllanthus (L.) Haw.

Synonyms:

• Epiphyllum gaillardae
• Hariota macrocarpa
• Rhipsalis macrocarpa
• Phyllocactus gaillardae
• Rhipsalis phyllanthus
• Phyllocactus phyllanthus
• Cactus phyllanthus
• Cereus phyllanthus

This plant descends (vegetatively) from a wild cutting collected along the east bank of the Essequibo river in Hubu, Guyana.

I obtained a couple pieces from the original collector. The flowers are shown here.

They are creamier and have more rounded tips than the "typical" E. phyllanthus of the Central American isthmus.

This variety may someday prove to warrant its own varietal designation.

This plant makes pretty, ornamental fruits that are very colorful.

Habitat photos:

More flower images (click image to see an enlargement):

Epiphyllum strictum
(Lemaire) Britton & Rose

common names: Calienta el hueso, Reina de la noche, Santa Rita, Ticrebac

Epiphyllum strictum = Epi. hookeri

( M to L ) - A crystalline white night bloomer that produces sweetly fragrant medium sized flowers in late summer and fall.

The flowers look like exploding white fireworks on the 4th of July.

Blooms open around 8 p.m.and last until around noon the next day.

Most people know this species by the name E. strictum (the specific epithet is Latin for "straight") because of the flat, straight stem growth. Technically, however, E. strictum is not the correct name.... it is a synonym of Epiphyllum hookeri, the correct name.

Origin: Endemic to wet forests in Southern Mexico, Guatemala to Panama. Grows wild on trees and/or stumps, up to 600 m altitude.

Description: Epiphyte, 1-3 m tall with narrow stems. Branches thick and stiff, 3-8 cm wide with coarse, serrated teeth. Flowers funnelform, white/pink, 20-30 cm long, 17-20 cm wide, and nocturnal. Fruit round, 4-5 cm diameter, bearing small, black seeds.

Medicinal/Traditional use: In Alta-Verapaz, Guatemala, the branches are heated and used as a splint around broken bones.

Compared to other Epiphyllums, this species has a very characteristic growth pattern, with relatively little meandering. The large plant below illustrates this fairly accurately.

Epiphyllum thomasianum
(Schum.) Britton & Rose

Synonyms:

• Phyllocactus thomasianus
• Epiphyllum macropterum var. thomasianum
• Marniera macroptera
• Phyllocactus macropterus
• Epiphyllum macropterum

A rare species seldom offered for sale. Range: Southern Mexico to Panama

A good strong grower that makes nice, broad flat leaves and gorgeous flowers that last through the night and the following day. Several subspecies and variants are suggested, but all the nomenclature is up in the air until further work is done on this genus.

Very large flowers for a species.

click to see enlargements:

Description

Aporocactus flagelliformis

Often called the "rat tail cactus."

This plant makes long hanging stems that may be as thick as a pencil or as big around as your thumb, depending on the clone.

I'm offering divisions from a form that has thinner branches (pencil thickness) but still produces just as many flowers. More bang for your collection-space buck; if you're worried about the ultimate size of the plant, this one is relatively small but very productive!

Produces cascades of showy, dark pink flowers that last for several days. Everyone should have one of these in their collection.

Synonyms: Cactus flagelliformis, Cereus flagelliformis, Disocactus flagelliformis, Cereus leptophis, Aporocactus flagriformis.

Care instructions: this plant likes VERY bright light, but not direct sun. It should be watered fairly frequently for a cactus, but allowed to dry mostly between waterings in summer. In the winter give it much less water and allow it to dry completely between waterings. It should not get below 50 degrees F; the soil must be dry if it does, or it will rot.

Grow in a hanging basket in very well-draining soil. Any standard cactus potting mix may be used, or African Violet soil mixed 50:50 with sand.

Cleistocactus winteri

Cleistocactus winteri, the "Golden Rattail Cactus"

Native to South America. Pendant growths with fuzzy golden spines, makes wonderful upright flowers that are pumpkin orange.

Synonym: Winterocereus aureispina

Echinocereus pentalophus

( S ) - Native to Southern Texas and Mexico.

Commonly called the "Ladyfinger Cactus."

The Echinocereus pentalophus has a profusion of magenta flowers with paler yellow throats, for a short period in spring.

Although the display lasts only a week or two, the profusion of pink flowers is extremely striking. The flowers are 3 to 5 inches long (7-12 cm). The stems of this cactus branches readily and soon you have a mass of shoots. The spines are short and soft. The spectacular pink blossom reaches 3-4 inches in diameter (7.5 cm).

Synonyms: Cereus pentalophus, Echinocereus leonensis, Echinocereus pentalophus ssp. leonensis, Cereus leptacanthus, Echinocereus leptacanthus, Cereus procumbens Engelm., Echinocereus procumbens, Echinocereus propinquus

Some additional images:

Disocactus ackermannii (Lindley) W. Barthlott

Synonyms:

• Epiphyllum ackermannii
• Cactus ackermanii
• Cereus ackermanii
• Phyllocactus ackermannii
• Nopalxochia ackermanii
• Phyllocactus weingartii
• Nopalxochia conzattianum

LARGE DAY BLOOMER.... and the flowers stay open for many days. Makes for a wonderfully bright and colorful display.

Native to Mexico (Oaxaca).

Lovely large red flowers... this plant blooms frequently and grows quickly. Very tough and very tolerant of a wide array of growing conditions.

grow it just like an Epiphyllum

A shelf full of Disocactus ackermanii... what an impressive display this would make at your house!

An interesting species because it has two forms: cylindrical and a narrow, two-ribbed version.

Synonym: Cereus biformis

Disocactus macranthus
(Alexander) Kimnach & Hutchison

Synonym: Pseudorhipsalis macrantha

This variety is most correctly called DISOCACTUS MACRANTHUS Var. GLAUCOCLADUS

( M ) - Extremely floriferous Epiphyllum relative from Southern Mexico (Oaxaca).

Produces clusters of lemon-yellow flowers. When these mature, they leave "berries" on the leaf, which are the ripening fruit. These are quite attractive in their own right.

If exposed to high light (can take full sun) the foliage gets very pretty and will turn red or purple, as if "sun tanned."

grow it just like an Epiphyllum

Disocactus ramulosus (Salm-Dyck) Kimnach det. DR Hunt, 1978

Synonym(s):

• Rhipsalis purpusii
• Rhipsalis leiophloea
• Rhipsalis jamaicensis
• Hariota coriacea
• Rhipsalis coriacea
• Rhipsalis angustissima
• Hariota ramulosa
• Cereus ramulosus
• Rhipsalis ramulosa

Also known as Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa (Salm-Dyck) W.Barthlott. Don't let the profusion of name changes get in your way of enjoying this fantastic plant -- it is loads of fun no matter what you call it!

Origin: Mexico to northern South America, Hispaniola, Jamaica. Has been collected as far south as Brazil.

Growth Habits: Shrubby plant, erect, 2 feet tall (60 cm) or more; stems 3 to 12 inches long (7.5-30 cm), 0.4 to 1 inch wide (1-2.5 cm); crenation 0.5 to 0.8 inches apart (1.2-2 cm); young areoles are often ciliate, naked when mature.

A fun plant that grows well under a wide variety of conditions.

The foliage turns a beautiful deep red color when exposed to bright light.

Can be trained to grow in full sun.

Makes small but pretty flowers in profusion in spring and summer, which are followed by pretty, glossy white berries all along the stem margins.

Berries are long lasting and make a nice decoration. They contrast nicely with the deep red foliage when the plant has adequate sun exposure, and this turns the cactus into a beautiful Christmas decoration.

Branches rapidly and grows quite quickly.

Disocactus phyllanthoides
(DC.) Barthlott

Synonym(s):

• Cactus phyllanthoides
• Nopalxochia phyllanthoides
• Phyllocactus phyllanthoides
• Cereus phyllanthoides

( M ) - Extremely floriferous Epiphyllum relative from Southern Mexico.

Commonly known as the "Pond Lily Cactus" because the flowers look a lot like those of the genus Nymphaea (which makes the common "lotus lily" type water lily flower). It also goes by the names Deutsche Kaiserin and German Empress.

This species is spineless, has comparatively closed, soft pink flowers, and has flattened two-sided bladelike stems. It has scales on the flower stems, much like E. crenatum.

Large plants need to be grown in a hanging basket, even though the foliage will initially stick upright. Ornamental hybrids are often created with this species and others (commonly of the genus Epiphyllum).

Origin: The type specimen was collected in Mexico.Very common in Columbia, but is known to have been distributed there through cultivation, which may date back to prehistoric times.

Medicinal/Traditional Uses: Flower decoction is taken as cardiac tonic in Columbia. Also used as an expectorant and remedy for the common cough.

When it bears flowers there are so many of them that they pull the foliage down. Look at these images... this species makes only medium sized flowers, but it makes dozens of them at a time! A wonderful display.