Epiphyllum, ;Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607 from Ancient Greek ἐπι- (epi-), meaning "upon", and φύλλον (phúllon), meaning "leaf", is a genus of epiphytic plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), native to Central America and South America. Common names for these species include climbing cacti, orchid cacti and leaf cacti, though the latter also refers to the genus Pereskia.
Description The stems are broad and flat, 1–5 cm broad, 3–5 mm thick, usually with lobed edges. The flowers themselves are large, with diameters ranging from 8 to 16 cm, white through red, with numerous petals. These flowers have notably short, nocturnal antheses, blooming only at night, and wilting at dawn. The fruit is edible, very similar to the pitaya fruit from the closely related genus Hylocereus, though not so large, being only 3–4 cm long.
The broad-leaved epiphyllum (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is particularly well known species that bears large, strongly fragrant flowers.
Taxonomy It was published by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1812.Haworth, Adrian Hardy. (1812). Synopsis plantarum succulentarum :cum descriptionibus, synonymis, locis, observationibus anglicanis, culturaque (p. 197). Typis R. Taylor et Socii. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/10003997Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.-j). Epiphyllum Haw. Tropicos. Retrieved January 27, 2025, from https://www.tropicos.org/name/40004308 The type species is Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum Haw. (n.d.). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved January 27, 2025, from https://www.ipni.org/n/30002688-2 Species , Plants of the World Online accepts 10 species: Image Scientific name Distribution Epiphyllum baueri Dorsch Colombia, Panama Epiphyllum cartagense (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose Costa Rica, Panama Epiphyllum chrysocardium Alexander Mexico Epiphyllum grandilobum (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama Epiphyllum hookeri Haw. Mexico, Central America, Venezuela; introduced to Florida Epiphyllum laui Kimnach Mexico Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.) Haw. Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico Epiphyllum phyllanthus (L.) Haw. Mexico to Venezuela then south to Argentina Epiphyllum pumilum Britton & Rose Guatemala, Mexico Epiphyllum thomasianum (K.Schum.) Britton & Rose Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua
Formerly placed here Disocactus crenatus (Lindl.) M.Á.Cruz & S.Arias (as Epiphyllum crenatum (Lindl.) G.Don) Disocactus lepidocarpus (F.A.C.Weber) M.Á.Cruz & S.Arias (as Epiphyllum lepidocarpum (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose) Disocactus phyllanthoides (DC.) Barthlott (as E. phyllanthoides (DC.) Sweet)
Cultivation The plants known as epiphyllum hybrids, epiphyllums or just epis, which are widely grown for their flowers, are artificial hybrids of species within the tribe Hylocereeae, particularly species of Disocactus. In spite of the common name, the involvement of Epiphyllum species as parents of Epiphyllum hybrids is unconfirmed.
References
External links
Epi Species (GotEpis.com), a comprehensive list of genera of epiphytic cacti.