Epiphyllum
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Epiphyllum | |
|---|---|
| File:Epiphyllum phyllanthus.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Phyllocacteae |
| SubTribe | Hylocereinae |
| Genus | Epiphyllum |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé maintains it as a distinct genus within Hylocereinae. |
Etymology
The name means "on the leaf," referring to the fact that flowers appear to grow directly on the leaf-like modified stems (phylloclades).
Description
Epiphyllum consists of predominantly epiphytic plants with flattened, leaf-like stems.
- Stems: Flattened phylloclades with variable margins (crenulate, serrate, or lobed); they often feature adventitious roots.
- Spines: Generally absent in mature specimens.
- Flowers: Nocturnal, large, and funnel-shaped with very long tubes. They are usually white or pale yellow and intensely fragrant, pollinated by hawk-moths (Sphingidae) and bats.
- Fruits: Egg-shaped or oblong, fleshy, often with distinct edges.
- Seeds: Kidney-shaped, black, and shiny, covered in a mucilage envelope. Dispersal is carried out by bats and small primates.
Habitat
Epiphyllum species grow in tropical dry forests and rainforests, primarily as epiphytes in tree hollows where humus accumulates. They are found from sea level up to 2200 m altitude.
Distribution
Extremely widespread across the Americas: [cite: 1011]
- North & Central America: Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama. [cite: 1011]
- South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela. [cite: 1011]
- Caribbean: Various islands including Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad & Tobago. [cite: 1011]
Species
Following Lodé (2015) and the synopsis by Bauer (2003), 12 species and 6 subspecies are recognized:
- Epiphyllum anguliger
- Epiphyllum baueri
- Epiphyllum cartagense
- Epiphyllum crenatum
- Epiphyllum grandilobum
- Epiphyllum hookeri
- Epiphyllum laui
- Epiphyllum lepidocarpum
- Epiphyllum oxypetalum
- Epiphyllum phyllanthus
- Epiphyllum pumilum
- Epiphyllum thomasianum
Taxonomy Note
Lodé maintains Marniera as a separate genus pending further molecular data, noting that while similar to Epiphyllum, the presence of bristles or hairs on the ovary distinguishes it.
