Epiphyllum

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 crenatum subsp. kimnachii
• Epiphyllum grandilobum
• Epiphyllum hookeri
  • Epiphyllum hookeri subsp. columbiense
  • Epiphyllum hookeri subsp. guatemalense
  • Epiphyllum hookeri subsp. pittieri
• Epiphyllum laui
• Epiphyllum lepidocarpum
• Epiphyllum oxypetalum
• Epiphyllum phyllanthus
  • Epiphyllum phyllanthus subsp. rubrocoronatum
• Epiphyllum pumilum
• Epiphyllum thomasianum
  • Epiphyllum thomasianum subsp. costaricense

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.