BEAHM GARDENS 23 
ZYGOCACTUS 
(Link-leaf or Crab) 
This form of cactus may still be found under 
the name of EPIPHYLLUM in older publica- 
tions and in Europe and in a like manner the 
EPIPHYLLUM HYBRIDS will be found 
under the name of PHYLLOCACTUS, terms 
by which they were called from the early 
1800’s until changed fairly recently. The term 
ZYGOCACTUS came into general use just 
before the turn of the century. 
The term “Zygo” is from the Greek word 
meaning yoke. This genus is a native of South 
America. Most forms 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 or Yoke-cactus. Many links are obovate 
(egg-shaped with narrow end downward) with 
horns at the blunt apex which gives rise to the 
terms Claw-cactus or Crab-cactus. 
ZYGOCACTUS DELICATUM 
In the true zygocactus species (not neces- 
sarily in its hybrids) the flowers have a distinct 
shape from most other epiphytic cactus. Before 
opening the bud is pointed forward. On open- 
ing the uppermost petals are overlapped 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 are zygo- 
morphic, that is divisible into two symmetrical 
halves from one direction only. 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 corsage material. The 
beautiful flowers are borne at the apex of the 
stems and are solitary, rarely two or three. The 
Ovary is smooth and pear-shaped and scaleless 
except in some recent hybrids. 
Approximately 75 forms of Link-leaf cactus 
have been mentioned in publications during 
the past century (but not in detail. Apparently 
only a very few of these are species (wild 
forms) such as Zygocactus truncatus, Schlum- 
bergera Gaertneri, etc., which are found in the 
Western Hemisphere. Many of these have now 
been lost, possibly some may still be found in 
private collections but with little or no data 
concerning their history or assurance that the 
label is correct. 
We are checking all of these that we can 
find. We have quite a number of varieties 
under observation at present but not all will 
prove enough different in growth or flower to 
merit the consideration of the general public. 
As fast as we can secure sufficient propagation 
of a variety and its identity is established we 
will release it to our customers. 
Available Varieties of ZYGOCACTUS 
TRUNCATUS 
BICOLOR (Thanksgiving). Tube is white with 
slight purple lines. Petal edges and tips 
deep rose. Flowering October to November. 
Plant links have 2 or 3 claws at apex. Rooted 
cuttings 50c. Plants $1.00 
DELICATUM. Limited. Flower white with 
glow of pink on petal edges after the first 
day. Pistil—magenta. Plant leaves small 
and slender with well placed horns on apex. 
Small rooted cuttings $1.00. 
SALMONEUM. Petals are one shade of sal- 
mon pink with very little white in the tube 
of flower. Flowers as late as January. Rooted 
cuttings 75c. 
MME. FOURNIER. Plant growth broad with 
large hooks on the edge and at the apex. 
Flowers slightly larger than Salmoneum and 
deep in color—more of a rose shade. When 
available rooted cuttings 75c. 
Small cuttings only when available. 
No. 750—Brick red, white center. $1.00 
No. 752—Zygomorphic, Scarlet Red. $1.00 
No. 756—Pink-cerise and white. $1.00 
AMELIA MANDA —not released. 
GERTRUDE W. BEAHM—large red. $1.00 
LLEWELLYN—orange. $1.00 
PARNA—not released. 
SOUTH ORANGE—orange. $1.00 
W. A. MANDA—lIarge red. $1.50 
