Rhipsalis baccifera

Taxobox
name = Mistletoe cactus
status = secure
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Caryophyllales
familia = Cactaceae
tribus = Rhipsalideae
genus = "Rhipsalis"
species = "R. baccifera"
binomial = "Rhipsalis baccifera"
binomial_authority = (J.S. Mueller) Stearn
synonyms =
see text

"Rhipsalis baccifera" or Mistletoe cactus is an Epiphytic cactus which originates from Central and Southern America, Caribbean and Florida. It is also spread throughout the tropics of Africa and Asia. This is the only cactus species naturally occurring outside the New World, although it is believed that "R. baccifera" was introduced relatively recently to the Old World by migratory birds.

Naming

The species shows considerable polymorphism and can be divided into numerous subspecies. Mesoamerican specimens are usually tetraploid and South American specimens are diploid. The naming of the species is confusing and a very large number of obsolete names (junior synonyms) exist. These include:

The genus "Cassytha" does not even belong to Cactaceae The classification of some "Rhipsalis" species to "Cassytha" was an error based on the not dissimilar habitus. The genus "Hatiora" is closely related to "Rhipsalis". "Hariota" is either a misspelling of the latter (as in de Candolle) or (as by Michel Adanson) a junior synonym of "Rhipsalis".

Sources

* [http://www.rhipsalis.com/species/baccifera.htm] URL accessed September 26, 2006
* [http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Rhipsalis_baccifera.html] URL accessed September 26, 2006

* [http://www.rhipsalis.com/maxwell3.htm The Rhipsalis Riddle]