Epiphyllum chrysocardium (syn. Selenicereus chrysocardium) is an epiphytic cactus endemic to Mexico.Epiphyllum chrysocardium Alexander. (n.d.). Plants of the World Online. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:92713-2 It is sometimes called fern leaf cactus, or golden heart epiphyllum.
Description Vegetative characteristics Epiphyllum chrysocardium is a large, epiphytic plant with pale green flat, fleshy stems, up to 1.8 m long,Epiphyllum chrysocardium (Fernleaf Cactus). (2024, April 23). World of Succulents. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://worldofsucculents.com/selenicereus-chrysocardium-fernleaf-cactus/ and up to 30 cm wide phylloclades.
Generative characteristics The nocturnal, white, fragrant flowers are 30–35 cm long. The filaments are golden yellow. The stigma has 12–13 lobes. The green, globose, 5–6.5 cm long, and 4–5 cm wide fruit is densely covered in bristles.
Taxonomy It was published by Edward Johnston Alexander in 1956. It used to be the only species in the genus Chiapasophyllum, in addition to a former inclusion in the genus Selenicereus (commonly referred to as the fishbone, ric-rac or zig-zag cacti), but molecular phylogenetic studies show that it belongs to Epiphyllum. Etymology The specific epithet chrysocardium from chryso- meaning goldMerriam-Webster. (n.d.). Chryso-. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chryso- and -cardium meaning heart-Cardium. (n.d.). Taber’s Medical Dictionary. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/773459/all/_cardium means gold-hearted.Meier, E. (2004). Selenicereus chrysocardium (Alexander) Kimnach. Cactus Andaluz. Retrieved March 14, 2025, from https://www.cactusandaluz.de/Text_SeleniChrysocardium.php
Habitat and distribution It occurs in the Mexican states Chiapas and Tabasco in montane cloud forests.
Conservation Epiphyllum chrysocardium is a threatened species.Manuel, J., RAMOS, C. M. B., MONTES, A. S. A., & Rodríguez, N. E. M. M. (2020). Epiphyllum chrysocardium (Cactaceae) en Tabasco:¿ Es o se parece?. Desde El Herbario CICY, 12, 38–45, 2020. The IUCN conservation status is data deficient (DD). The trade falls under the CITES Appendix II regulations.
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