Rhipsalis

For the algae, see Halimeda. "Mistletoe cactus" redirects here. This may also mean specifically Rhipsalis baccifera or generally other Rhipsalideae; it is not to be confused with Cactus mistletoe.

Rhipsalis
Flowering Rhipsalis cereuscula
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Rhipsalideae
Genus: Rhipsalis
Gaertn.
Species

Numerous, see text

Synonyms

Rhipsalis is a genus of epiphytic flowering plants in the cactus family, typically known as mistletoe cacti. They are found in parts of Central America, the Caribbean and northern regions of South America. They also inhabit isolated locations in Africa and Asia, and are the only cactus group naturally occurring in the Old World. This is the largest and most widely distributed genus of epiphytic cacti[1] (those which live on other plants without damaging them).

The scientific name Rhipsalis derives from the Ancient Greek term for wickerwork,[2][3] referring to the plants' morphology.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Calvente2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Anderson (2001), p. 612
  3. ^ "Rhipsalis". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2022-03-06.