Epiphyllum chrysocardium


Epiphyllum chrysocardium is an epiphytic cactus endemic to Mexico. 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, 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, but molecular phylogenetic studies show that it belongs to Epiphyllum.

Etymology

The specific epithet chrysocardium from chryso- meaning gold and -cardium meaning heart means gold-hearted.

Habitat and distribution

It occurs in the Mexican states Chiapas and Tabasco in montane cloud forests.

Conservation

Epiphyllum chrysocardium is a threatened species. The IUCN conservation status is data deficient. The trade falls under the CITES Appendix II regulations.