Synonyms:

Epiphyllum anguliger is now considered a synonym of Disocactus anguliger. Other synonyms are:

Cereus mexicanus
Epiphyllum anguliger
Epiphyllum darrahii
Phyllocactus angularis
Phyllocactus angulifer
Phyllocactus anguliger
Phyllocactus darrahii
Phyllocactus mexicanus
Phyllocactus serratus

Habitat:

Epiphyllum anguliger is native to Mexico, where it grows on the branches of trees in evergreen forests, in humid habitats. Its elevation range of occurrance is between 1100 and 1800 meters above the sea level.

Description:

Epiphyllum anguliger is an epiphytic species, commonly known as “fishbone cactus” or “zig zag cactus” for its flattened, wavy stems. It belongs to the family Cactaceae, and this makes him a cactus in his own right, despite the fact that it he looks nothing like a cactus at all. It consist, in fact, in a tuft of succulent, falling, flattened, deeply lobed stems, 20 to 30 centimeters long and 3 to 5 centimeters wide, bright green and with a glossy surface. The base of the stems are, instead, often woody. Lobes are rounded and irregular in size: smaller at the base of the stems and at its top and more deeply pronounced in their central part. The commone name “fishbone”, as well as from the lobes, also comes from a central, prominent line that resembles a backbone. Flowers are striking, as well: they bloom at night, are big (up to 7 centimeters in width and 4 in length), and have these velvety, white petals, 8-10 in number, pointed. The calyx, which is the outermost whorl of flower parts, comprising the sepals, which covers and protects the petals as they develop, is made of longer sepals, purplish-brownish and pointed, enhancing the decorative effect of the blossoming. The blooming season occurs in late Autumn/early Winter. Blooms have a strong, sweet scent, and turn into oval, brownish fruits, resembling kiwifruits for their interiour part, which is green as well and has small, black seeds.

Cultivation:

Epiphyllum anguliger gives its best as an ornamental plant if grown in hanging pots. Its falling stems will grow abundantly, recreating the effect of its epiphytic habit in the tropical forest.

Grow your Epiphyllum anguliger in semi-shade. In the wild, in facts, it grows on tree branches, in the shade of their foliage.
It requires warm temperatures: from 16 to 25ºC. We strongly suggest to place it indoors in WInter. Its minimum tolerated temperature is between 10 and 15ºC.
Water it regularly in Spring and Summer (every 2-3 days): its substrate should stay slightly moist all the time. Nebulize it once in a while to recreate the air humidity of the tropical forest.
Unlike other cacti, it requires a substrate rich in nutrients in the form of humus and organic matter. One rich in peat and foliage will do good. It should always be well-drained, though: it’s still a cactus.
Fertilize at the beginning of the month during the growing season, using a specific product for cacti in small doses (half of what is indicated on the package is fine).
The root system of Epiphyllum anguliger is rather reduced: choose shallow pots and repot every two years or so to provide fresh, nutrient soil.

Propagation:

Propagation is usually carried out through branch cutting. Small branches should be taken off in spring, preferably cutting at the nodes, left to dry up for a few days to heal the wound, and then replanted in a sandy soil. They usually dry up in about 10 days.

Curiosity:

The name “Epiphyllum” comes from Greek and literally means “upon the leaves”. It refers to its epiphitic growth habit. Epiphitic plants grows by clinging to other plants though it feeds autonomously, taking water and nutrients from the atmosphere and from the little mud that is found on the trunks or rocks that it uses as a foothold. The specific epithet “anguliger”, instead, means “angle bearing” and refers to the deep, wavy lobes of its flattened stem.

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

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