Schlumbergera
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Schlumbergera is a genus of 6 known tree-dwelling cacti from Brazil. These are the tropical rainforest epiphytes, growing on tree branches where, despite the high rainfall, water drains off quickly so that "dry" conditions prevail much of the time. Not surprisingly these cacti are quite different in appearance to their desert dwelling cousins. They are named after F. Schlumberger who was the owner of a famous plant collection.
This genus contains the popular Schlumbergera truncata, also known as Christmas Cactus which may flower in white, pink, red or purple. The Easter Cactus or Whitsun cactus (Hatiora gaertneri) which produces vivid scarlet flowers belongs to Hatiora genus.
The stems of Schlumbergera resemble leaf like pads joined one to the other and the flowers appear from areoles at the tips.
 Schlumbergera flower |
 Schlumbergera flower close-up |
[edit] Synonymy
The following genera have been brought into synonymy with Schlumbergera:
- Epiphyllanthus A.Berger
- Epiphyllum Pfeiff.
- Opuntiopsis Knebel (nom. inval.)
- Zygocactus K.Schum.
- Zygocereus Fric & Kreuz. (orth. var.)
[edit] References
- Cacti , Succulents and Tropical Plants edited by Nicky Hayden. Marshall Cavendish Ltd, (1980).
- The House Plant Expert Hessayon Dr D G. pbi publications, (1980).
