Epiphyllum
Epiphyllum crenatum var kimnachii
Epiphyllum is a genus of flowering plants of the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The botanical name of the genus is derived from the Greek words " έπί " ( epi) for on and " φύλλον " for leaf from means on the sheet and points to the origin of the flowers on the leaf-like stems. The type species of the genus Epiphyllum phyllanthus.
Description
The species of the genus Epiphyllum grow mostly epiphytic, but some also lithophytic. There are free branched, erect, climbing or hanging shrubs that often form aerial roots. Old shoots are round in cross section, usually without spines and often woody. Younger shoots are flattened leaf-like, have edges with broadly rounded or pointed teeth and are sometimes lobed or pinnately divided at the areoles. Spines are not usually present.
The tray or funnel -shaped flowers emerge laterally, are individually and are 10 to 30 inches long. They open usually at night. The Perikarpell is covered with small scales, and rarely with hairs or bristles. The long flower tube has bald dandruff and is widened abruptly at the throat. The outer bracts are whitish, yellowish or pale pink, the inner pale yellow or white.
The egg-shaped to oblong, thornless fruits carry small shed and areolae. They are 4-9 cm long and have a diameter of 2 to 5 cm on. The kidney-shaped seeds are black.
Distribution and systematics
The genus Epiphyllum is distributed mainly in Central America and Mexico. However, a species also grow in the Caribbean and northern South America. The first description was in 1812 by Adrian Hardy Haworth. The type species of the genus Cactus phyllanthus.
Belong to the genus of the following types:
- Epiphyllum anguliger
- Epiphyllum baueri
- Epiphyllum carta Gense
- Epiphyllum columbiense
- Epiphyllum costaricense
- Epiphyllum crenatum Epiphyllum crenatum var crenatum
- Epiphyllum crenatum var kimnachii
Synonyms of the genus are Phyllocactus link Arthrophyllum Labour. and Marniera Backeb.