Tuesday, May 15. 2007EpiWhat do we know about the Epiphyllum? Well, we know it has beautiful flowers. We know it is also known as the Orchid Cactus, one presumes because of those beautiful flowers. Those gorgeous flowers, ohhh, they are pretty.
Well, Glenn at the University of Missouri has put together a page of information. The Epiphyllum (AKA "epi", orchid cactus or [incorrectly, see below] night-blooming cereus) is known and cultivated for its beautiful and fragrant flower, which opens and closes in a single night. This page is an attempt to compile what I have been able to find out about this unique plant.... Epiphyllum spp.: includes E. macropterum, E. oxypetallum. See Charles Keng's page. Epiphyllum oxypetallum is not a cereus at all, despite commonly being called "Night-Blooming Cereus." It's epiphytic, meaning it doesn't need dirt, while cereuses grow out of the ground. Also, the growth habit of Epiphyllum is different from that of the cereus spp. -- Epiphyllum has flattened leaves with wavy edges and round viny stems, while cereuses (cereii?) have thick, ridged stems, often of triangular cross-section. The flowers look similar, though... Epiphyllum differs from Selenicereus (botanicly speaking) in spination of the flowers. Epiphyllum has no spines on the flower tube -- Selenicereus has. Epiphyllum has often no or very few hairs on the tube -- Selenicereus are often very hairy on the flower tube. Good to know. Any questions? Trackbacks
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