Badmin: Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Lepismium | image = Lepismium_cruciforme.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Rhipsalideae | genus = '''Lepismium''' | authority = Pfeiffer (1835) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé distinguishes Lepismium from Rhipsalis based on its sunken areoles and more primitive floral structure. }} == Etymology == The name is derived from the Greek ''lepis'' (scale), referring to the sm..."

2026-04-08T11:04:00Z

Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Lepismium | image = Lepismium_cruciforme.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Rhipsalideae | genus = '''Lepismium''' | authority = Pfeiffer (1835) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé distinguishes Lepismium from Rhipsalis based on its sunken areoles and more primitive floral structure. }} == Etymology == The name is derived from the Greek ''lepis'' (scale), referring to the sm..."

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{{Taxobox
| name = Lepismium
| image = Lepismium_cruciforme.jpg
| kingdom = [[Plantae]]
| family = [[Cactaceae]]
| subfamily = [[Cactoideae]]
| tribe = [[Rhipsalideae]]
| genus = '''Lepismium'''
| authority = Pfeiffer (1835)
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé distinguishes Lepismium from Rhipsalis based on its sunken areoles and more primitive floral structure.
}}

== Etymology ==
The name is derived from the Greek ''lepis'' (scale), referring to the small scales that often subtend the areoles on the stems.

== Description ==
'''Lepismium''' consists of epiphytic or lithophytic cacti with pendulous (hanging) or sprawling stems.
* '''Stems''': Varied in shape—can be flat (leaf-like), angled (triangular to hexagonal), or rarely cylindrical. They are typically segmented and branched.
* '''Areoles''': Distinctly sunken into the margins or the surface of the stems. They often bear small hairs or even minute bristles/spines.
* '''Flowers''': Small, lateral (emerging from the sides of the segments), and bell-shaped to rotate. Colors range from white and cream to pink or reddish.
* '''Fruits''': Globose, berry-like, and often brightly colored (red, purple, or white). They remain fleshy when ripe.
* '''Seeds''': Small, dark brown to black, and smooth.

== Habitat ==
The genus grows in tropical and subtropical rainforests, as well as in more seasonally dry forests (Mata Atlântica). They are predominantly epiphytes on mossy tree branches or lithophytes on shaded rock faces. Altitudinal range: 0–1500 m.

== Distribution ==
* '''South America''': Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (center of diversity), and Paraguay.

== Species and Subspecies ==
Following the classification of Lodé (2015), the genus includes 6 recognized species and 2 subspecies:

* [[Lepismium cruciforme]] (Type species)
** [[Lepismium cruciforme subsp. myosurus]]
* [[Lepismium houlletianum]]
** [[Lepismium houlletianum subsp. regnellii]]
* [[Lepismium lumbricoides]]
* [[Lepismium micranthum]]
* [[Lepismium warmingianum]]
* [[Lepismium lorentzianum]]

== Taxonomy ==
The circumscription of ''Lepismium'' has changed many times. Lodé follows the molecular data (Korotkova, 2011), which places ''Lepismium'' as a basal lineage within the tribe '''Rhipsalideae'''. He rejects the inclusion of these species into ''Rhipsalis'', noting that their morphological traits (sunken areoles and spiny seedlings) are significantly different.

[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Rhipsalideae]]

Lepismium - Revision history