Epiphyllum. 169 



EPIPHYLLUM. 



(From the Rural Californian, xlv. 133.) 



The Crab cactus is one of the most beautiful of garden plants, 

 both for the clear green color of its tender, succulent stems and for 

 the brilliancy of its flowers which are borne in great profusion 

 during a large portion of the year. The genus Epiphyllum was 

 established by Dr. Louis Pfeiffer, and contains but two or three 

 species at most, by many botanists being in reality considered a 

 monotypic genus. The stems are slender, succulent, leafless, and 

 short-joiuted; the joints somewhat flattened, two to three inches 

 long and one or two inches broad. The flowers are produced from 

 the points of these branches and not from their margin as in Phyllo- 

 cactus. 



The crab or lobster cacti, as they are popularly called, are natives 

 of Brazil, where they are usually found growing upon the branches 

 of trees as epiphytes — not parasitical — deriving their nourishment 

 from the air. In cultivation it is a common practice to graft the 

 Epiphyllum upon the stem of a Pereskia or some hardy stout grow- 

 ing cactus, by which an effect is produced not dissimilar to that of its 

 natural condition, the slender jointed stems attaining a length of 

 three or four feet and growing in a very pleasing, graceful manner. 



This cactus maj^ be easily propagated by cuttings or by grafting 

 as above or from the seed. New and very beautiful forms are often 

 obtained from seed and the number of varieties which have thus 

 become known in cultivation is very great. Cuttings of two or more 

 joints readily strike root at any season in pots of rather sand}-, dry 

 soil and placed in a warm situation. 



Cxrafting on a Pereskia stock or on Cereus speciosissimus is the 

 most popular method of treatment for increasing these plants, as by 

 that means the drooping habit of the Epiphyllum is more gracefully 

 and pleasingly displayed. 



Pereskia aculeata is a strong, quick growing cactus with leaves 

 like those of an orange tree, popularly known as the Barbadoes 

 gooseberry. It is upon this plant that the Epiphyllum is usually 

 grafted, and as it rapidly absorbs the moisture and nutriment from, 

 the soil it is advisable to fertilize the ground thoroughly. About 

 one-fourth of the bulk of the soil in which it is planted has been 

 recommended as a good proportion, and when supporting a large head 

 of the Crab cactus the soil may be further enriched by a top dressing 

 or the application of liquid manure from time to time, especially 

 when the Epiphyllum is in bloom. After flowering the soil may 

 be allowed to become partially dry until the plant resumes its natural 

 growth after a few weeks of rest. 



Epiphyllum truxcatum Haworth. — This is the type of the 

 genus and by some counted as the only species — the two following 

 species being considered mere varieties of this by many botanists 

 It has been in cultivation in Europe for nearly a hundred years and' 



