Tropical Plant "Pitaia-rosea"
Epiphyllum phyllanthus

Characteristics – Epiphyllum phyllanthus is a gruit-bearer, abundant in nature, but seldom cultivated. Native to almost all of Brazil’s forest areas, it is an epiphytic, herbaceous succulent. Stems (phylloclades) are flattened and branching with aerial roots and some spines when they are quite old. The areolae have no spines. Flowers are tubular, solitary, nocturnal, white and gragrant, androgynous, forming in the Spring. Fruits are narrow ovoids, apiculate, berry-type, pink-greenish with irregular surgace bearing small spines, dehiscent via lateral openings. They contain a succulent, mucilaginous pulp with a slightly sweet flavor and minuscule, black seeds. They ripen at the end of Spring.

Uses – The fruits are consumed only in their natural state, but are not widely appreciated.

Propagation – This member of the cactus family is easily propagated with cuttings from the cactus (cladodium)