Rhipsalis

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Rhipsalis
Rhipsalis cereuscula
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Caryophyllales Family: Cactaceae Subfamily: Cactoideae Tribe: Rhipsalideae Genus: Rhipsalis Gaertn.
Species
Rhipsalis baccifera - mistletoe cactus Rhipsalis salicornioides Rhipsalis sulcata Rhipsalis teres etc.

Rhipsalis (from Greek, "wickerwork") is a genus of epiphytic, mostly spineless cacti.

The genus is found widely in Central America, parts of the Caribbean and a great part of northern and central South America. One particular species, Rhipsalis baccifera (mistletoe cactus), is also found throughout the range in the New World, but also in Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal. Several theories have been advanced to explain the dispersion of Rhipsalis baccifera. One of them suggest migratory birds having brought the species to the Old World. A second theory suggests that it was carried to the Old World as a substitute for mistletoe during Christmas.

[edit] Synonymy

The following genera have been brought into synonymy with Rhipsalis:

• Erythrorhipsalis A.Berger
• Hariota Adans.
• Lymanbensonia Kimnach

Furthermore, some Cassytha species have been reassigned to Rhipsalis.

[edit] Images of Rhipsalis species

Rhipsalis cereuscula stems and flowers	Rhipsalis crispata flower and buds	Rhipsalis pilocarpa	R. pilocarpa flower detail
Rhipsalis rosea	Rhipsalis salicornioidies (Drunkard's Dream)	R. salicornioidies new growth detail	Flowers of an unknown species of Rhipsalis