EPIPHYLLUM RUSSELLIANUM. 
(Duke of Bedford's Epiphyllum.) 
Class. Order. 
ICOSANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
CACTACE^. 
Genkric Chahacter. — Sepals calyx-formed, adnate 
to the ovary ; outer ones short ; middle ones longer, 
reflexed ; inner ones petal-like, united into a tube, with 
an oblique or regular orifice. Stamens filiform ; middle 
ones shorter than the receptacle ; outer ones longer, 
affixed to the tube. Style filiform. Stigma scanty. 
Specific Character. — Plant a suberect shrub. Joints 
obovate, truncate on both sides, very obtuse, one- 
toothed, having a cluster of hairs in the teeth. Corolla 
with pretty equal spreading petals. Ovary four or five- 
winged. Stamens monadelphous at the base. 
There is a near resemblance between this beautiful species and E. truncatum.^ 
with its variety molaceum. The habit of all three is very similar, and the appear- 
ance of the leaves, or foliaceous branches, is likewise of a related character. Still, 
these are much more slender in E. Russelliaiium, and more decidedly chain-like, 
or having the parts between the joints more regular and less flattened. Our 
present species has, moreover, a tendency to produce longer shoots, which, from 
their greater tenuity, are more drooping. 
It is therefore a very fit associate for E. truncatiim^ and a good acquisition to 
any collection of the tribe. But its principal merit is in the hue of its flowers, 
which is most peculiar and exquisite. It excels that of almost all Cactae, and 
even of the majority of Orchidaceas. It is like that of E. tritficatum, and also of 
its variety violaceum^ yet diff*erent from both. We can only describe it by saying 
that the violaceous tint is not upon the crimsony scarlet, as in other flowers. It 
is not spread over part of the surface of another colour, merging into it in places. 
It is really mixed with the crimson in the texture of the flower, so as to produce 
one uniform colour. 
We had our figure of it from the nursery of Messrs. RoUisson, Tooting, in 
April last. Unlike E. trmicatiim., it blossoms at various seasons under the same 
treatment ; and is commonly seen in flower from October till May. 
It will succeed very well if reared from a cutting, and grown upon its own 
roots ; and, in this state, makes a capital plant for placing on the outside of a high 
