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Rhipsalis

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EntityQ132296· pop 29· linked from 38 articles

Rhipsalis ( ) is a genus of epiphytic flowering plants in the cactus family, typically known as mistletoe cacti. They are found in parts of Central America, the Caribbean and northern regions of South America. One species, Rhipsalis baccifera also inhabits locations in Africa and Asia, and is the only cactus species naturally occurring in the Old World. This is the largest and most widely distributed genus of epiphytic cacti (those which live on other plants without damaging them).

Species

Mistletoe Cactus

GENUS

  1. KingdomPlantae
  2. PhylumTracheophyta
  3. ClassMagnoliopsida
  4. OrderCaryophyllales
  5. FamilyCactaceae
Observations4,103
Observations recorded26,587

via GBIF

Museum specimens

Specimen records
824
With media
299
Family
Cactaceae
Collections
IIB-UV, FCB-BUAP, INECOL, CAS, NY, MICH
Recorded in
Mexico, Argentina, Nicaragua, Brazil, Madagascar, Sao Tome And Principe, Peru, Ecuador

~11 min read

Encyclopedic overview

7 sections
Contents
  • Description
  • Taxonomy
  • Species
  • Distribution and habitat
  • Notes
  • References
  • Literature

Rhipsalis ( ) is a genus of epiphytic flowering plants in the cactus family, typically known as mistletoe cacti. They are found in parts of Central America, the Caribbean and northern regions of South America. One species, Rhipsalis baccifera also inhabits locations in Africa and Asia, and is the only cactus species naturally occurring in the Old World. This is the largest and most widely distributed genus of epiphytic cacti (those which live on other plants without damaging them).

The scientific name Rhipsalis derives from the Ancient Greek term for wickerwork, referring to the plants' many entangled or intertwined branches.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Rhipsalis” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

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