Epiphyllum phyllanthus subspecies phyllanthus (L.) Haw.

Synonyms:
Cactus phyllanthus, Phyllocactus phyllanthus, Rhipsalis phyllanthus, Cereus phyllanthus, Epiphyllum gaillardae, Phyllocactus gaillardae, Rhipsalis macrocarpa, Hariota macrocarpa

Night Blooming Tropical Cactus, Queen of the Night Cactus
 

Originally described to science in 1826 by botanist Adrian Hardy Haworth (1768-1833),  according to all available  published scientific articles, Epiphyllum phyllanthus is a rain forest cactus species.  But then, what is a "rain forest"? 

Within the genus Epiphyllum you will find an unusual group of epiphytic (tree dwelling) cacti that range from southern Mexico through Central America and into almost all of tropical South America.  Species within the genus Epiphyllum are cacti although they don't often present themselves with the same thorny characteristics as the cacti seen growing in the desert.  Despite their tropical nature, they are still true cacti and are members of the larger plant family Cactaceae.  For those unacquainted with botanical terms, an epiphyte is a plant that grows upon another plant.  These species are not parasitic but instead are closer to guests.   They don't draw nourishment from the host, which is normally a tree, but instead use the host as a support in the rain forest in order to gain better access to brighter light.

I am admittedly a neophyte when it comes to Epiphyllum species.  In addition to the plant shown above I have two other species (or hybrids) that are still immature, but I make it a point to have the scientific names of specimens in my collection verified either through a scientific text or by a botanical source, often a botanist.  But still, those cursory identifications  sometimes are found to be incorrect.  Through conferences, phone calls, personal visits and having traded many emails,  with numerous qualified botanists I have learned that a cursory examination of a photograph or even a casual examination of a living specimen often offers only an "opinion" as to the species.  And the genus Epiphyllum is well known to be complicated by the fact that specimens not in bloom are often confused with other genera.  As a result, I am often dubious when any self proclaimed "expert" offers the species name of a plant by simply glancing at a photo. 

In early 2001 I took the specimen shown above, which was much smaller at the time, along with a photo of a bloom produced by the parent plant seen here to Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Miami, FL and asked for an identification.  That ID came back as Epiphyllum oxypetalum.  But now, due to the help of a concerned reader I have learned the plant is not what I had always thought.  This is the note which I regret came unsigned, "The foliage is very distinctive on an oxy and can usually be id'd without seeing the bloom. In your case, I have seen the bloom, and it is not like any oxypetalum I have ever seen. I referred your website photo to someone who has written many books and lectured on the subject of epiphytes, and he believes that your plant is Epiphyllum phyllanthus subspecies phyllanthus."   As a result, I located a copy of the scientific description of the species (see that at the bottom of this page) and completed a more thorough search for the true species' information.  After doing so I have updated this page with all the current scientific information I can locate along with personal comments from a variety of rain forest experts.  Based on the scientific material as well as other information I've been able to uncover, the specimen in our collection at least appears to be Epiphyllum phyllanthus subspecies phyllanthus.

Although you can find over 80 named species listed on a variety of scientific sources, current research now compacts all those names into 16 true Epiphyllum species.  All the rest are now considered simply synonyms of those base species, or basionyms.   Variation is not uncommon in tropical plant species and as a result some published scientific names are commonly found to simply be a variation of another known species.  Botany is a growing science and as a result changes are found all the time.  And one of the most frequent changes is when a qualified botanist discovers that a commonly accepted species' name is no longer valid since that species has previously been published.  This happens due to a phenomenon known to botanists as "variability".  Within numerous plant species individual specimens are capable of producing slightly different growth forms such as different leaf shapes.  Sometimes that variation is so distinct that the two plants bear little, if any resemblance.  But still, they are the same species and sometimes only the examination of the sexual parts of the plant can verify they are one and the same.  As a result, the newer names become synonyms of the oldest established name which is proven to be the true base species (basionym).  You will find a link near the bottom of this page to the website of Epiphyllum ecologist Joseph W. Dougherty along with a link to the Cactus and Succulent Society of American, both of which present more detailed information on the genus.

A plant collecting neighbor in Miami, FL had the parent of this strange plant hanging under a tree in his yard.  I finally mustered the nerve in 1998 to ask for a cutting and he gladly gave me three.  Today our Epiphyllum phyllanthus has grown from three small cuttings to an enormous epiphyte with "branches"  (truly flattened stems) up to 180cm or 6 feet long.  And those flattened stems are known scientifically as a cladode.  A cladode is simply a modified stem which is capable of photosynthesis (light gathering) while appearing somewhat like a leaf.   Scientists believe it is flattened in order to facilitate a large surface area for gathering light efficiently while also storing water.  However, cladodes are not leaves!  Cladode producing plants are found almost exclusively within the larger family known commonly as cacti (Cactaceae).  Russ Hammer who lives in Central Florida, a rare plant collector with a large collection that often checks these pages for accuracy made this observation, "Interesting that these Epi's and related types are absolutely leafless and that they're basically nothing but stems that flower."

In most cases you will learn the Epiphyllum plants most of us commonly grow are not species but are instead hybrids sometimes involving other related genera.  This passage from the Cactus and Succulent Society of America website explains more fully, "What we call epiphyllum today are actually hybrids of the epiphytic cacti species native to the jungles of So. and Central Amer. and Mexico. The name Epiphyllum, epi means "upon" and phyllum means "leaf", because they produced flowers on their leaf-like stems. But they have no leaves, these are actually thickened stems or branches, most are flat but some grow in a triangular shape. Epiphyllums are not covered with spines, but have hair bristles or tiny spines in the areolar, some more than others."

A tropical humidity loving cactus which may be complete with thorns that are often difficult to find, Epiphyllum species are common in nature from select portions of the Caribbean, Mexico through all of Central America and well into South America as far south as Bolivia on the west and virtually all the northern countries of the continent down into Brazil.  The genus grows up near the top of the canopy on the branches and in the crooks of tropical rain forest trees high up into the rain forest.  Except when it is raining, that zone of the forest is relatively dry, but the humidity is often quite high.  These species do not naturally grow in soil, but may survive in modified soil in a personal collection.   However, at least some epiphytic cacti do grow over rocks in full sun and not necessarily in the shade of the rain forest.  As to genus, I cannot comment.

The species Epiphyllum phyllanthus is noted by several sources to be found primarily within the Guiana Shield of north eastern South America.  According to Dutch naturalist Joep Moonen who lives and works in French Guiana the species is common in the region.   This quote can also be found on the website of Epiphyllum ecologist and enthusiast Joseph W. Dougherty, "They are widely distributed in many parts of Central and South America, living high in the crowns of trees.  Although they are dispersed over a large area, all grow in moist, tropical areas with warm to hot climates."   Expert collectors such as Ursula Kammlott have reported personally collecting Epiphyllum phyllanthus subspecies phyllanthus near the Essequibo River in Guiana.   Her account can be found at http://www.kammlott.net/Ephyllanthus.html

In the beginning the stems of our specimen grew only pendently (downwards).  But after the first 3 years they began to branch and finally in 2006 began growing straight up until their own weight forced them to droop.  It took 4 to 5 years from the time we started the Epiphyllum specimen before we saw the first bloom.  The white blooms of Epiphyllum phyllanthus are beautiful to behold, but you better be quick if you plan to take a photograph!  The flowers can be found growing from the nodes, or joints, near the ends of the cladodes but don't wait until tomorrow to try to get a photograph!  Epiphyllum phyllanthus is a night blooming cactus producing blooms which open after dark and are dried up and dead before noon the next morning.  You get a chance to see one fully open only during the night until approximately 10:00AM the following morning.  Such a behavior indicates the natural pollinator is active during the evening hours.

This writer is not a scientist nor considers himself an expert in any plant species including the genus Epiphyllum but rather an avid collector and serious plant researcher as well as professional photographer who has published several hundred articles in national magazines on a variety of subjects including plants.  The pages of this website are literally my personal notes to myself written in a style others may be able to utilize.  They were placed on the internet in the event I die prematurely so my adult daughters can easily access them in order to identify and properly care for and find homes for my collection.  While working on my notes I read as much scientific material as possible along with the personal notes of experienced growers in order to learn about any plant in this collection.  During my research I encountered two quotes on a large plant forum in regard to Epiphyllum species I could not easily understand.  The first is clearly incorrect but the second less easily dismissed,  "There are only about a dozen species recognized in the genus Epiphyllum.  Most of the species originally described as Epiphyllum are now in several other genera." The individual then posted this statement,  "None of the species occur in tropical rainforest.  They are commonly found as epiphytes in tropical forest with seasonal rainfall and a cool season not a constantly hot climate with year-round rainfall."   Does no one but me see a contradiction in that second statement?  Well, perhaps it is contradictory solely depending only on your definition of a "rain forest".

The first indicates there are fewer than the scientifically accepted 16 known species (some sources indicate up to 20 species).  The second quote strongly appears to attempt to contradict published and accepted scientific knowledge by proposing these epiphytes are not truly rain forest plants by pointing out they are found only in the dry regions of those forests.  That lead me to the question, "when is a rain forest not a rain forest"?  It is certainly correct in many cases that rain forests have dry seasons.  But does that automatically disqualify these rain forest dwellers from being rain forest plants?  Especially since they are located naturally nowhere on earth other than in a rain forest.  Almost all rain forests have both wet and dry seasons but during the dry season dew from high humidity does much of the maintenance for the plants.   Just because they dry out part of the year does not mean the forest is not a rain forest or that plants living there are not rain forest plants.   Please read again the definition of a rain forest at the top of this page.  Despite popular belief, it does not rain every day in a rain forest!  .It should be noted that most of these forests do have dry, moist and wet regions as well as seasons.  The Amazon basin is often noted as being completely flooded for portions of the year and quite dry during others.  But scientific literature often describes the genus Epiphyllum as being found at least in moist forest.  The claim they grow only in dry regions would appear to be improbable since in the majority of the countries where the species are observed they have seasonal rains that are intense and the humidity constantly high.  

When new material is presented I do my best to give it due consideration.  As a result, I sent a personal note to Mr. Dougherty and asked for a clarification.  He responded,  "Absolute rubbish. Whoever wrote that clearly doesn't know what they are talking about. I have seen, in person, many different species of Epiphyllum, Hylocereus and Rhipsalis growing wild in Costa Rica and Honduras in areas that would be considered lowland humid rainforest, as well as in mountainous regions that could be considered cloud forest.  I have seen images from northern South America of similar habitat containing Epiphyllum and Disocactus species. So whomever that person is, they are quite mistaken."   He then continued, "Bottom line is that these plants come from humid and wet regions. Temperatures may vary widely in the ranges of different species, but there is certainly no rule that they come from dry zones. I've seen them thriving in extremely moist regions."  

I then sent a query to one of America's top rain forest botanists, Dr. Tom Croat Ph.D., P.A. Schulze Curator of Botany of the Missouri Botanical Garden since Dr. Croat has made countless trips into the rain forests of all of Mexico, Central America and almost the entirety of South America.  Dr. Croat is the author of many major botanical journals as well as the botanist of record who discovered and then described an incredible number of plant species to science.  And in his scientific descriptions he frequently notes whether a species is found in wet, moist or dry forest.  But still, he does not appear to rule dry forest species as not being rain forest species as I understand his work.  This was Dr. Croat's response, "While it is true that Epiphyllum does occur in Tropical dry forest and even drier biomes some species are common in Tropical moist forest, perhaps also in Tropical wet forest." 

Following that, I sent a post to a forum frequented by rain forest botanists and researchers who spend a great deal of time in those forests.  My primary goal was to locate the email address of Dr. Myron Kimnach which was promptly provided.  Several contributors responded privately to say they had seen these plants in both dry, moist and wet forest.  Aroid ecologist and expert Neil Carroll who has spent time in the rain forests of Central and South America as well as published many papers on tropical species (see the International Aroid Society website for examples) sent this note, "I have seen them in the trees in the rainforests of Ecuador and Panama. the guy is probably confused that a cactus would grow in anything but a desert."  And Mr. Harry E. Luther who is the Director of the Mulford B. Foster Bromeliad Identification Center and Curator of Living Collections of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, FL offered this response, "Cacti are not my thing but I've seen plenty of Epiphyllum spp and Rhipsalis spp growing in wet lowland rainforest in Bocas del Toro, Panama, Los Rios , Ecuador and in dry cool cloud forest in El Oro , Ecuador.  Yes, some are rainforest epiphytes."

But to be absolutely certain I also sent a request to Dr. Kimnach who is one of the top cacti experts in the United States as well as the Director Emeritus of Huntington Botanical Gardens in California and the former editor of CSSA journal of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America.  A private note from Dr. Leo A. Martin, director of the CSSA, followed and has advised me he will attempt to help me receive a response.  He also provided this comment, "I have seen epiphyllums growing in Veracruz and Oaxaca states in tropical deciduous forest."  A deciduous rain forest is one in which the trees lose their leaves.  A second note from Dr. Martin received in late April, 2008 included this helpful information, "Without going into it further, lots of epiphytic cacti look like Epiphyllum when not in bloom. The whole group of epiphytic cacti is not that well studied other than the group of small cacti Rhipsalis - Lepismium - Hatiora and related species, which were extensively revised and published in Bradleya, the British Cactus and Succulent Society's scientific annual. To identify a plant as an Epiphyllum one would need to see the flowers, not only the plant.  As I mentioned E. chrysocardium does indeed live in wet forests." 

But then Dr. Martin provided this quote which involves the definition of what some may, or may not, consider a rain forest, "They aren't rain forest plants. I've seen some of them in Mexico.  There are indeed cacti that are rain forest plants but Epiphyllum in general aren't, with the possible exception of E. chrysocardium.  They are denizens of tropical deciduous forest. In other words, 4 months of summer rain, 8 months of no rain (but with normal nighttime dew.) Most (not all) of Mexico has this climate regime. I haven't been to Central America but there's plenty of tropical deciduous forest there too.  The epi hybrids involve lots of other genera. The few species remaining in Epiphyllum have nocturnal white flowers. The other colors in hybrids come from other genera. The species may take a tiny amount of frost but almost all the hybrids are extremely tender.  Hardier plants with flowers similar to Epiphyllum are some of the Selenicereus species. They are vining epiphytes that are what was originally meant by "Queen of the Night Cactus." 

So are Epiphyllum species rain forest plants?  It certainly appears confusing.  They live in rain forests but aren't rain forest plants?  That is a statement I will have to ponder for a while to fully understand since Dr. Martin's knowledge of these specimens far exceeds my own.  But as I said, I'm not an expert. 

The final sentence in one of Dr. Martin's notes indicates at least one species does live in the wet forest.  And a quote stating where Epiphyllum species are naturally found on the Cactus and Succulent Society of America website (see link below) under a discussion on Epiphyllum species certainly at least appears to be somewhat contradictory, especially when combined with Dr. Croat's information quoted above.   Should plants that live in drier rain forest not be considered rain forest plants?  Consider this quote from the CSSA website, "Most of the blooms of the 16 true 'Epiphyllum' species are fragrant and all have white flowers, through some of the outer petals have tinges of yellow, cream and strawcolor. E. cooperi flower from the base of the plant, the buds develop slowly at first and may take up to 10 weeks to open. These plants that came from the dense tropical forests of Central and So. Amer. live in humid jungle conditions." 

Certainly, there appears to be some debate as to what the definition of a rain forest plant should be.  My friend Julius Boos who is a noted expert on rain forest aroids and has co-authored scientific descriptions published this comment on one public forum, "It appears that this debate is now centered around the narrow determination of the difference between a rain forest and a tropical deciduous forest.   Being from Trinidad, and having traveled in French Guyana, I can assure all that tree-growing cacti I am familiar with in most cases do not make a distinction and that they do not suddenly stop growing or existing in what the experts consider true rain forests.   I have seen climbing epiphytic cacti high in the wet canopy, who knows what genera they may be determined to belong to once they are collected, and taxonomists get their hands on them.   If, as it is being said, the range of the cactus genus Epiphyllum is from Southern Mexico, all of Central America, and all down the Western side of S. America, I can assure all that in many of these areas, especially in Panama and W. Colombia, W. Bolivia and W. Brazil there are real rain forests with cacti growing in them, I don`t know how many species and of what genera they may be!"

A dear friend who has been to South America many times as a botanical research assistant, or while leading rare plant collectors into the rain forest, wrote this line in response to the original assertion Epiphyllum species are found only in dry rain forest.  Regrettably, she doesn't like for me to post her name!  Referring solely to the person who originally made the statement that began my quest she said, "Steve, that person has never been to the jungle. These things do not appear very often, but they fall from the crotch of trees and in very wet areas where one would not expect to find a cactus.  Humor them, and tell them you have a friend who has often found them in very wet rainforests epiphytically............ some may not grow in such areas."  

Confused?  Well, these notes from Dr. Croat, who likely knows more about the tropical rain forests of Central and South America than anyone in the United States, sums it up, "The term rain forest is not a standard or formal designation.  In the Holdridge Life Zone System which I use the term “rain forest” is used a variety of designations.  A standard range of wetness would range from Tropical dry forest to Premontane dry forest to Tropical moist forest, Premontane wet forest, Tropical wet forest, Tropical rain forest, Premontane rain forest, Lower montane rainforest, Montane rain forest.  The effective degree of wetness is the critical feature and may be owing to a lot of rain or a cooler temperature and thus a reduced amount of transevaporation so that a single life zone could range form sea level to 2000 m depending on the amount of precipitation.  Pluvial lowland forest is the wettest, hottest and is rather restricted, known only from northwest S. America in Colombia where it may rain 36 feet a year."  Followed by a private note which read, "I doubt if Epiphyllum occurs in the wettest of forests, for example in Tropical Pluvial forest, but they do occur in many types of tropical forests." 

You are free to draw your own concussions as to whether or not a plant that lives exclusively in a tropical rain forest is a rain forest species.  But it would appear that just because any particular species or genus does not appear in all the regions Dr. Croat describes, that plant should not be considered a "rain forest species".

Easy to propagate and grow, Epiphyllum species produce primarily white blooms, some with tinges of color, while hybrid specimens produce a variety of colors including reds, pinks and yellows and many species bloom during the day.   To start a new plant simply take a 15cm (6 inch) or larger cutting and pot it in loose soil mixed with sand, Perlite and other media to make it porous.  Hanging baskets lined with a coconut liner work best.  Wild specimens collect falling leaves and other debris including animal droppings from the tree that is the host.  That pile of  "trash" collects around the base of the plant and holds moisture as well as providing nutrients.  To simulate the natural environment, we prefer to use a moisture control potting soil mix with sand, peat, Perlite, and a lot of orchid bark to be certain the medium stays damp yet never soggy.  The small roots of the plant need moisture but should not be soaking wet.  Sand speeds the drainage while the hard wood orchid bark provides a natural anchor. 

We've found Epiphyllum phyllanthus prefers bright but slightly diffused light.  We have hung the plant from one of the major beams in the atrium so it can spread fully.  The "epi" blooms from late Spring through mid summer, sometimes 4 to 6 blooms at a time. 

One note as to whether or not I personally would consider this specimen to be a rain forest species.  Our collection is watered a minimum of 4 times a week for 10 minutes at a time during warmer months.  In the heat of the year everything is watered daily for that same 10 minutes.  But during the winter we do back off to 2 to 3 days each week.  Our Epiphyllum phyllanthus does nothing but grow so it appears all that water certainly does no harm.  As a result of all the growth over the past 10 years I've given away countless cuttings.

I do my best to publish correct information on this site, even when that information is somewhat confusing or contradicts my personal beliefs.  I openly invite botanists, scientists and expert growers to point out potential errors found on this site at any time.  However, any suggestions will be researched before changes are made.  If you believe you locate an error, please include a scientific reference with your information.  My email address is near the bottom of the homepage of this site. 

And one final note.  I am uncertain where this information originated but I have now been privately advised twice that I am credited with saying Epiphyllum species can tolerate a freeze.  That information has never been presented on this website and in one public forum (University of British Colombia Botanical Garden) I recently advised a Canadian grower several times against even attempting such a venture.  In one post on that forum I stated our plant had survived one exceptionally cold night in South Florida when the temperature dropped for a short while just below freezing, but I never said they could tolerate long term freeze.  If you read that forum, please notice I didn't advise the plant liked the cold!  Virtually every grower I have corresponded with has indicated these species do not thrive in the cold.  These species are clearly tropical as is evidenced by where they grow in nature.  Others on that forum tried to indicate these plants can tolerate low temperatures but my advice has been consistently to keep them above 10 to 12.78 C (50 to 55 F) degrees at a minimum.

For a more detailed look at Epiphyllum species visit the website of Joseph W. Dougherty: http://www.ecology.org/ecophoto/articles/Epiphyllum.htm

and
The Cactus and Succulent Society of America
http://www.cssainc.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=213&Itemid=212

 

The Published Scientific Description of Epiphyllum phyllanthus:

 

Plants much branched. Primary stems round in cross sec-