Pseudorhipsalis
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Pseudorhipsalis | |
|---|---|
| File:Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Phyllocacteae |
| SubTribe | Hylocereinae |
| Genus | Pseudorhipsalis |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with reference to Barthlott (1991), Bauer (2003), and Hunt et al. (2006). |
Etymology
The name means "false Rhipsalis", referring to its superficial resemblance to that genus.
Description
Pseudorhipsalis is a genus of epiphytic cacti with slender to flattened stems and small flowers.
- Habit: Bushy to shrubby; usually epiphytic, occasionally lithophytic.
- Growth form: Initially erect, later arching or pendulous.
- Stems: Cylindrical when young, later flattened (phylloclades); sometimes crenulate.
- Areoles: Small; often ciliate when young, becoming naked with age.
- Spines: Absent.
- Flowers: Mostly diurnal; small; solitary.
- Flower shape: Shortly funnel-shaped to rotate; short tube.
- Flower color: White, yellowish-white, greenish, pinkish, rarely bluish.
- Pollination: Likely by bees; also hummingbirds in some taxa (e.g. P. amazónica).
- Fruits: Spherical to ovoid berries; smooth; white to pink or pale magenta, often purplish.
- Seeds: Pear-shaped; black to dark brown; slightly pitted or tuberculate.
Habitat
Occurs in a wide range of tropical habitats:
- epiphytic in trees
- rainforests and dry forests
- volcanic regions
- occasionally on rocks
Altitude range: from sea level up to ~1500 m.
Distribution
Widespread in the Neotropics:
- Central America
- Caribbean
- South America (Amazonian regions)
One of the most widely distributed epiphytic cactus genera. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Taxonomy
A complex and debated genus.
Key points:
- Separated from Rhipsalis based on floral and fruit morphology
- Belongs to Hylocereinae, not Rhipsalideae
- Often merged into Disocactus by some authors (Kimnach)
- Retained as distinct by Barthlott and the IOS working group
- Inclusion of Wittia amazónica (now Pseudorhipsalis amazónica) clarified its limits
- Modern phylogenetic studies confirm its placement within Hylocereeae, but relationships remain complex :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The genus is accepted as distinct in Lodé (2015).
Species
According to Joël Lodé (2015):
- Pseudorhipsalis acuminata
- Pseudorhipsalis alata
- Pseudorhipsalis amazónica
- Pseudorhipsalis himantoclada
- Pseudorhipsalis lankesteri
- Pseudorhipsalis ramulosa
Notes
- Strong morphological convergence with Rhipsalis.
- Closer phylogenetically to Disocactus than to Rhipsalis.
- Lacks spines, contributing to its non-cactus-like appearance.
- Rare in cultivation despite wide natural distribution.
- Part of the complex epiphytic cactus radiation in tropical forests.
