This article is about the genus Epiphyllum Haw. For a group of artificial hybrids known as epiphyllums, see Epiphyllum hybrid. For the genus Epiphyllum Pfeiff., see Schlumbergera.
Epiphyllum (/ˌɛpɪˈfɪləm/;[3] "upon the leaf" in Greek) is a genus of epiphyticplants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to Central America and South America. Common names for these species include climbing cacti, orchid cacti and leaf cacti, though the latter also refers to the genus Pereskia.
The stems are broad and flat, 1–5 cm broad, 3–5 mm thick, usually with lobed edges. The flowers are large, 8–16 cm diameter, white through red, with numerous petals. Flowers bloom only at night, and wilt at dawn. The fruit is edible, very similar to the pitaya fruit from the closely related genus Hylocereus, though not so large, being only 3–4 cm long. The broad-leaved epiphyllum (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is particularly well-known. It bears large, strongly fragrant flowers that each usually open for a single night only.
The plants known as epiphyllum hybrids, epiphyllums or just epis, which are widely grown for their flowers, are artificial hybrids of species within the tribe Hylocereeae, particularly species of Disocactus. In spite of the common name, the involvement of Epiphyllum species as parents of Epiphyllum hybrids is unconfirmed.[7][8]
^Haworth, Adrian Hardy. (1812). Synopsis plantarum succulentarum :cum descriptionibus, synonymis, locis, observationibus anglicanis, culturaque (p. 197). Typis R. Taylor et Socii. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/10003997
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