Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides Haw.

Images | Description | Publications | Reduced Synonyms

Bonn 4481

Utrecht University Botanic Gardens

Commercial clone

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides — Photo: Ruud Tropper

Unknown clone

Botanical illustrations and historical images

Description

The accepted name Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides Haw. was published in Saxifrag. Enum. 2: 71. 1821.

The geographic range is Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) found at elevations of 0-600 meters with an endangered status of critically endangered.

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides is classified in the subgenus Rhipsalis.

Observed growing as an epiphyte. Overall habit is pendant, branches are dimorphic (more than one stem shape) and mesotonic (stems form from the tips to middle of previous stems).

Stems are round, bristles are absent to sparse. Basal stems are indeterminate (seasonal growth is various lengths), 6cm-40cm x 0.1cm-0.5cm. Main stems are determinate (seasonal growth is about the same length), 0.5cm-2.5cm x 0.1cm-0.4cm.

Flowers are rotate: sub-patent (wheel shaped: partially open), 0.7cm-1.3cm x 0.5cm-1.2cm. Petals 5, sepals 4. Inner petals are white or pink, outer petals are white, green, cream or pink. Stamen are white, from 19 to 20. Stigma lobes 3. Flower ovary is subglobose or globose, 0.4cm x 0.2cm.

Flowering position on the stem is lateral and the flower orientation in relation to the stem is perpendicular. Does not repeat flowering per areole. A maximum of 1 flowers were reported at a single areole. Areole position in the stems is superficial (flower ovary is visible on the surface of the stems during bud development). Trichomes or wool is absent at the areoles after flowering.

Unripe fruit is cream or red. Ripe fruit is globose or ovoid; white, 0.4cm-0.6cm x 0.5cm-0.6cm.

Other notable features:
Ripe fruit sometimes tinted reddish. Easily identified by the distinct morphology, the main stems are the smallest of any Rhipsalis and resemble grains of rice.

Taxonomic treatment and description were derived from:

The referenced publications below
- published material was examined and consolidated
  - to determine minimum and maximum size ranges
  - to determine color variations and shapes
In rare cases
- if minimum and maximum values were unreported, authors examined their own materials
- if clearly observed colors were unreported, authors expanded the botanical descriptions

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides referenced publications

Title	Authors	Type	Journal	Year	Volume	Issue	Pages	Publisher
Epifytische cactussen, rhipsalis.eu. Accessed on: 15 Jan. 2025	Aat van Uijen	Website		2025
IPCN Chromosome Reports. Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed on: 18 Jan. 2025		Website		2025
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew \| Plants of the World Online. Accessed on: 15 Jan. 2025		Website		2025
The Caryophyllales Network 2015+ [continuously updated]: A global synthesis of species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales. Accessed on: 15 Jan. 2025		Website		2025
WFO The World Flora Online. Accessed on: 15 Jan. 2025		Website		2025
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2024-2. accessed on 2025-01-07		Website		2024
Rio de Janeiro - Cactaceae of the State of Rio de Janeiro (version 1, 8/2022), fieldguides.fieldmuseum.org	Diego Rafael Gonzaga, Maria de Fátima Freitas, Alice Calvente	Website		2022
Cactaceae at Caryophyllales.org – a dynamic online species-level taxonomic backbone for the family	Nadja Korotkova, David Aquino, Salvador Arias, Urs Eggli, Alan Franck, Carlos Gómez-Hinostrosa, Pablo C. Guerrero, Héctor M. Hernández, Andreas Kohlbecker, Matias Köhler, Katja Luther, Lucas C. Majure, Andreas Müller, Detlev Metzing, Reto Nyffeler, Daniel Sánchez, Boris Schlumpberger, Walter G. Berendsohn	Journal Article	Willdenowia	2021	51	2	251 – 270	Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin (BGBM)
Cactaceae in Flora do Brasil 2020. Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. Accessed on: 15 Jan. 2025	Daniela C. Zappi, Nigel P. Taylor	Website		2020
Flora do Rio de Janeiro: Cactaceae	Maria de Fátima Freitas, Alice Calvente, Diego Rafael Gonzaga	Journal Article	Rodriguésia	2020	71
Neotypification of Rhipsalis rhombea (Rhipsalideae, Cactaceae) and Its Taxonomic History	Ralf Bauer, Nadja Korotkova	Journal Article	Haseltonia	2020	27		95-101	Cactus and Succulent Society of America
Cactaceae no Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil	Lucas Vasconcelos, Diego Rafael Gonzaga, Ricardo Reis	Journal Article	Rodriguésia	2019	70
Rhipsalis, cactussen uit het tropische woud 3	Aat van Uijen	Journal Article	Succulenta	2018	97	4	163-166
Rhipsalis, cactussen uit het tropische woud 1	Aat van Uijen	Journal Article	Succulenta	2017	96	6	270-275
Rhipsalis (Cactaceae): loss and gain of floral rewards is mirrored in range sizes and distribution patterns of species	Bernadette Grosse-Veldmann, Stefan Abrahamczyk, Jens Mutke, Wilhelm Barthlott, Maximilian Weigend	Journal Article	Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society	2016	180		491-503
Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides - ein Kaktus, der nur noch mitten in der Stadt wächst	Andreas Hofacker	Journal Article	Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten	2015		1
A remarkable new Rhipsalis (Cactaceae) from eastern Brazil	Nigel P. Taylor, Gerardus Olsthoorn, Daniela C. Zappi, Gillian Khew, Dietmar Quandt	Journal Article	Bradleya	2014	32		2-12
A New Subgeneric Classification of Rhipsalis (Cactoideae, Cactaceae)	Alice Calvente	Journal Article	Systematic Botany	2012	37	4	983 – 988	The American Society of Plant Taxonomists
Phylogeny and evolution of the epiphytic Rhipsalideae (Cactaceae)	Nadja Korotkova	Ph.D. Thesis		2012				Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn
Molecular phylogeny of tribe Rhipsalideae (Cactaceae) and taxonomic implications for Schlumbergera and Hatiora	Alice Calvente, Daniela C. Zappi, Félix Forest, Lúcia G. Lohmann	Journal Article	Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution	2011	58	3	456-468
Molecular Phylogeny, Evolution, and Biogeography of South American Epiphytic Cacti	Alice Calvente, Daniela C. Zappi, Félix Forest, Lúcia G. Lohmann	Journal Article	International Journal of Plant Sciences	2011	172	7	902-914
What does it take to resolve relationship and to identify species with molecular markers? An example from the epiphytic Rhipsalideae (Cactaceae)	Nadja Korotkova, Borsch T, Dietmar Quandt, Nigel P. Taylor, Müller K, Wilhelm Barthlott	Journal Article	American Journal of Botany	2011	98		1549-1572
Molecular phylogeny, evolution and systematics of Rhipsalis (Cactaceae)	Alice Calvente	Ph.D. Thesis		2010				Instituto de Biociências da Universidade de São Paulo
A Unique Cactus with Scented and Possibly Bat-Dispersed Fruits: Rhipsalis juengeri	Boris Schlumpberger, Robin A. Clery, Wilhelm Barthlott	Journal Article	Plant Biology	2006	8	2	265-70
The New Cactus Lexicon: Atlas of illustrations	David Hunt, Nigel P. Taylor, Graham Charles	Book		2006			104-120	DH Books
The New Cactus Lexicon: Text	David Hunt, Nigel P. Taylor, Graham Charles	Book		2006			138-139,142-143,253-257	DH Books
Re-classification of Rhipsalideae, A Polyphyletic Tribe of the Cactaceae Durande	Alexander B. Doweld	Journal Article	Succulents	2001	4	1-2
Die Namen der Gattungen und Arten epiphytischer Kakteen. Teil 1. Rhipsalideae	Ralf Bauer	Journal Article	EPIG	1996	8	2	47-51
Notes towards a Monograph of Rhipsalideae (Cactaceae)	Wilhelm Barthlott, Nigel P. Taylor	Journal Article	Bradleya	1995	13		43-79	British Cactus and Succulent Society
Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides HAWORTH 1821	I. Knallinger	Journal Article	EPIG	1992	4	3	51-52
Bericht über zwei Vorträge von Myron Kimnach und Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Barthlott über ihre Ansichten zur Gattungsgliederung innerhalb der epiphytischen Kakteen	Ralf Bauer	Journal Article	EPIG	1991	3	4	64-71
New names in Rhipsalidinae (Cactaceae)	Wilhelm Barthlott	Journal Article	Bradleya	1987	5		97-100
Chromosome numbers in the tribe Rhipsalinae (Cactaceae)	T. W. J. Gadella, E. Kliphuis, J. Naber	Journal Article	Botaniska notiser	1979	3		294
Cactus Lexicon	Curt Backeberg, Walther Haage	Book		1966			205,220-222,440-449, 647, 750	Blandford Press Ltd. (1966-1973)
Iets Over Onze Rhipsalideae.	G. D. Duursma	Journal Article	Succulenta	1943	25	1	7
The Cactaceae : descriptions and illustrations of plants of the cactus family	Nathaniel Lord Britton, Mary E. Eaton, N. J. Rose, Helen Adelaide Wood	Book		1923	4		208-247	Carnegie Institution of Washington
Cactus culture for amateurs: a concise and practical guide to the management of a little understood family of plants	William Watson	Book		1920				London, "The Bazaar, exchange & mart" office, 1920
The standard cyclopedia of horticulture; a discussion, for the amateur, and the professional and commercial grower, of the kinds, characteristics and methods of cultivation of the species of plants grown in the regions of the United States and Canada for ornament, for fancy, for fruit and for vegetables; with keys to the natural families and genera, descriptions of the horticultural capabilities of the states and provinces and dependent islands, and sketches of eminent horticulturists	Liberty Hyde Bailey	Book		1919	5		2929-2930	New York, Macmillan, 1919 [c1914]
Archivos do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro	Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro	Book		1915	1		61-105	Rio de Janeiro, Jardim Botanico
Hortus Mortolensis : enumeratio plantarum in Horto Mortolensi cultarum = Alphabetical catalogue of plants growing in the garden of the late Sir Thomas Hanbury ... at La Mortola, Ventimiglia, Italy	Giardino Botanico Hanbury, Alwin Berger	Book		1912			272-273	London, West, Newman, 1912
Monatsschrift für Kakteenkunde		Book		1900	10		32,37,116,125,193	Neudamm, J. Neumann
Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen (Monographia cactacearum)	Karl Schumann, Karl Hirscht	Book		1899			618-650	Neudamm [Dębno, Poland?], J. Neumann, 1899
Dictionnaire d'horticulture illustré	D. Bois	Book		1893			1045-1048	P. Klincksieck
Monatsschrift für Kakteenkunde	Karl Schumann	Book		1893	3		8-12,22-27,33-35,69,91	Neudamm, J. Neumann
Monatsschrift für Kakteenkunde	Karl Schumann	Book		1892	2		2-4	Neudamm, J. Neumann
Revisio generum plantarum vascularium omnium atque cellularium multarum secundum leges nomenclaturae internationales cum enumeratione plantarum exoticarum in itinere mundi collectarum, mit erläuterungen	Otto Kuntze	Book		1891	1		261	A. Felix
Carl Friedrich Forster's Handbuch der Cacteenkunde in ihrem ganzen Umfange :nach dem gegenwartigen Stande der Wissenschaft bearbeitet und durch die seit 1846 begrundetet Gattungen und neu eingefuhrten Arten vermehrt	Carl Friedrich Förster, Theodor Rümpler	Book		1886	2		878-893	Leipzig, Wöller, 1886
Cactaceous Plants Their History & Culture	Lewis Castle	Book		1884			72-74	Printed at the Horticultural Press
Cactaceous plants: their history and culture	R. Lewis Castle	Book		1884			71-75	Horticultural Press
Cactaceous Plants	R. Lewis Castle	Journal Article	The journal of horticulture and cottage gardener	1884	9		333-334
Garten-Zeitung	Ludwig Wittmack, W. Perring	Book		1882	2		47	P. Parey
Flora Brasiliensis, enumeratio plantarum in Brasilia hactenus detectarum :quas suis aliorumque botanicorum studiis descriptas et methodo naturali digestas partim icone illustratas	Karl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, August Wilhelm Eichler, Ignaz Urban, Stephan Endlicher, Eduard Fenzl, Benj. Mary, R. Oldenburg	Book		1869	4	2	266-300	Monachii et Lipsiae [Munich & Leipzig], R. Oldenbourg, 1840-1906
Les Cactées: Histoire, Patrie, Organes de Végétation Inflorescence, Culture, Etc	Charles Antoine Lemaire	Book		1868			78-81	Librairie agricole de la maison rustique
Cacteae in horto Dyckensi cultae anno 1849, secundum tribus et genera digestae : additis adnotationibus botanicis characteribusque specierum in enumeratione diagnostica cactearum Doct. Pfeifferi non descriptarum	Joseph Salm-Reifferscheidt	Book		1850			58-62	Bonnae, Apud Henry & Cohen, typis C. Georgii, 1850
Flore des jardins et des grandes cultures, ou Description des plantes de jardins, d'orangeries et des grandes cultures, leur multiplication, l'epoque de leur fleuraison et de leur fructification, et leur emploi, avec planches gravées, dont une coloriée	Nicolas Charles Seringe	Book		1849			350-359	Lyon, C. Savy, jeune, 1849
Handbuch der Cacteenkunde in ihrem ganzen Umfange. Oder die erfolgreichsten, auf die neuesten Erfahrungen gegrundeten Kultruangaben, sowie ausführliche und genaue Beschreibung und berichtigte Synonymik sämmtlicher bis jetzt bekannt gewordener Cacteen, und überhaupt alles in Bezug auf diese Pflanzenfamilie sonst nur Wissenswerthe. Auf den Grund langjähriger eigener und fremder Erfahrungen	Carl Friedrich Förster	Book		1846			447-462	Leipzig, J.T. Wöller, 1846
Cacteæ in horto dyckensi cultæ anno 1844	Joseph Salm-Reifferscheidt	Book		1845			38-40	E. Typis Crapelet
Repertorium botanices systematicae	Wilhelm Gerhard Walpers	Book		1842	2		342-345	Sumtibus Friderici Hofmeister
Nomenclator botanicus hortensis...	Gustav Heynhold	Book		1840	2		98-99	Arnoldischen Buchhandlung
Herbier général de l'amateur, deuxième série, contenant les figures coloriées des plantes nouvelles, rares et intéressantes des jardins de l'Europe, avec leurs description, histoire, propriétés et culture. Par M. le Dr. Loiseleur-Deslongchamps, Chevalier de l'ordre royal de la Légion-d'Honneur, Membre de la Société royale et centrale d'agriculture, de celle d'horticulture de Paris, et de plusieurs autres Sociétés savantes. Auteur de la 1re. série. ; Tome premier	Loiseleur-Deslongchamps	Book		1839			4-5	Paris : Audot, éditeur du Bon Jardinier, rue du Paon, 8, École de médecine (Paris. -- Imprimerie de Fain et Thunot, ...)
Synopsis plantarum; seu, Enumeratio systematica plantarum plerumque adhuc cognitarum cum differentiis specificis et synonymis selectis ad modum Persoonii elaborata	David Nathanael Friedrich Dietrich	Book		1839			117-118	B. F. Voigtii
Enumeratio diagnostica cactearum hucusque cognitarum	Louis Pfeiffer	Book		1837			129-142	Sumtibus L. Oehmigke
Histoire naturelle des végétaux. Phanérogames, Phanérogames	Edouard Spach	Book		1834	13		388-395	Librairie encyclopédique de Roret
Nouvelle Espèce de Rhipsalis (Hariota), Par MM. F. Otto et Alb. Dietrich. (Atig. Gartenz., mars 1841.)	Charles Lemaire	Journal Article	Herbier General de l’Amateur	1834	3	2	4-5
Hortus Dyckensis; oder, Verzeichniss der in dem botanischen Garten zu Dyck wachsenden Pflanzen	Joseph Salm-Reifferscheidt	Book		1834			227-228	Arnz
The botanical cabinet	Conrad Loddiges & Sons, George Loddiges, John and Arthur Arch (Firm)	Book		1833	20		1920	John & Arthur Arch
Annales de flore et de pomone :ou journal des jardins et des champs	Libraire-Éditeur Rousselon	Book		1832	9		257-268, 271-272	Paris, Rousselon, Libraire-Éditeur, 1832-[1848]
A general history of the dichlamydeous plants, comprising complete descriptions of the different orders...	George Don	Book		1831	3		176-177	J.G. and F. Rivington
A general system of gardening and botany. Founded upon Miller’s Gardener’s dictionary, and arranged according to the natural system	George Don, Philip Miller	Book		1831	3		176-177	C. J. G. and F. Rivington
Annali di storia naturale		Book		1830	3		240-245
Observations Sur la Famille Des Cactées, Suivies de la Description D’Une Espèce Nouvelle D’Echinocactus ET de Celle du Rhipsalis Parasitica	Pierre-Jean-François Turpin	Book		1830
Revue de la famille des Cacte´es :avec des observations sur leur ve´ge´tation et leur culture ainsi que sur celles des autres plantes grasses	Augustin Pyramus de Candolle	Book		1829			77-82	A. Belin
Mémoires du Muséum d'histoire naturelle	Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (France)	Book		1828	17		77-82	G. Dufour
Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis...	Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, Alphonse de Candolle	Book		1824	3		475-476	Sumptibus Sociorum Treuttel et Würtz
Mémoires du Muséum d’histoire naturelle	Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (France)	Book		1815	17		77-82	G. Dufour
Curtis's botanical magazine	William Curtis, Joseph Dalton Hooker, William Jackson Hooker, D. Prain, O. Stapf, Bentham-Moxon Trust., Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Royal Horticultural Society (Great Britain), Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust	Journal Article		1801	58		3078-3080	Academic Press [etc.]

Reduced Synonyms

Name	Reduced by	Published Date	Published In
Rhipsalis mesembryanthoides Haw.	TPL (2013)	1821	Saxifrag. Enum. 2: 71. 1821
Rhipsalis echinata Pfeiff.	Britton & Rose (1923)	1837	Enum. Diagn. Cact.: 136. 1837
Hariota mesembrianthemoides Lem.	Britton & Rose (1923)	1838	Cact. Aliq. Nov.: 39. 1838
Hariota mesembryanthemodes Kuntze	Britton & Rose (1923)	1891	Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 262. 1891