Ks.mini · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
The genus *Epiphyllum sp* is notable for its large, showy flowers, which often feature strong fragrances and have short, nocturnal antheses, blooming only at night and wilting by dawn. The fruit is also edible, resembling the pitaya fruit.
Field notes
Morphology
The stems are broad and flat, measuring 1–5 cm broad and 3–5 mm thick, typically featuring lobed edges. The flowers are large, with diameters ranging from 8 to 16 cm, appearing white through red, and the fruit is 3–4 cm long.
Cultivation notes
The plants, often grown as hybrids, are widely cultivated specifically for their spectacular flowers.
History & etymology
The genus name *Epiphyllum* comes from Ancient Greek, combining ἐπι- (epi-) meaning "upon" and φύλλον (phúllon) meaning "leaf". The type species is *Epiphyllum phyllanthus* (L.) Haw.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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