24 BEAHM 
RHIPSALIS PACHYPTERA 
ZYGOCACTUS 
The term “Zygo” is from the Greek word meaning yoke. 
This genus is a native of Brazil. Most varieties branch well 
from the base, some becoming bushy with a woody trunk. 
Others arch outward with a distinct chain effect giving rise to 
the name of Link-leaf, yoke or Zygocactus. The links are 
obovate (egg-shaped with the narrow end downward) with 
horns on a flattened apex which gave rise to the terms Claw- 
cactus or Crabcactus. 
The flowers are very beautiful and have a distinct shape 
from most other epiphytic cactus. Before opening the bud is 
pointed forward. On opening the uppermost petals are over- 
lapped and tipped forward in a hood or roof effect with the 
stamens and anthers clinging to the top; the lower petals are 
spreading and bent back against the tube. In general, the effect 
is that of an upside-down flower. They may be found in a 
number of colors including so-called white (very, very faint 
glow of pink after first day). They are excellent as corsage 
material and when used are worn reversed. Flowers are borne 
at the apex of the stems and are solitary, rarely two or three. 
The flowers are zygomorphic, that is divisible into two sym- 
metrical halves from one direction only. 
Approximately 75 forms of Link-leaf cactus have been men- 
tioned in publications during the past century (but not in de- 
tail). Apparently only a very few of these are species (wild 
forms) such as Zygocactus, Schlumbergera, etc., all of which 
are found in the Westetrn Hemisphere; all others are varia- 
tions—hybrids or sports. Many of these have now gone out of 
circulation; possibly some may still be found in private col- 
lections but with little or no data concerning their history. 
