Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides
Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Tribe:	Rhipsalideae
Genus:	Rhipsalis
Species:	R. mesembryanthemoides
Binomial name
Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides Haw.
Synonyms
Hariota mesembryanthemoides Rhipsalis echinata

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides is a cactus in the genus Rhipsalis belonging to the family Cactaceae. The first description was in 1821 by Adrian Hardy Haworth. The shoots are reminiscent of the plants of the genus Mesembryanthemum, hence the epithet mesembryanthemoides.

Description

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides is an epiphytic plant with strong stems covered by tiny branchlets. Initially this plant grows erect; later it is pendent. The main branches are elongated, cylindrical and woody, 10 to 20 inches long and 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. The white flowers appear at areoles of the branchlets. They are 8 millimeters long and reach a diameter of 15 millimeters. The short-oblong fruits are white, about 5 millimeters long.

Distribution

This species is widespread in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, on both sides of the Baja de Guanabara, at an altitude below 600 metres (2,000 ft) above sea level..

Gallery

• 
  Plate from Curtis's Botanical Magazine, Volume 58.
• 
  Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides at the botanical garden of Villa Durazzo-Pallavicini, Genova Pegli
• 
  Branch of Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides

References

• Hunt D.R. et al. (2006): The new cactus lexikon. DH Books, Miborn Port, England. ISBN 0-9538134-5-2
• Anderson H.F. et al. (2001): The cactus family. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, USA. ISBN 0-8819249-8-9
• Rhipsalis.com
• Cacti Guide
• Desert-tropical