I'm not even sure that's what these are, but that's what the tags said....."Rhipsalis sp."
The first one I've had since last summer and it's blooming nicely after spending the winter in the greenhouse.
Rhipsalis Expert for ID's ?
And a closeup of the flowers.
And this is the other one, still young and no flowers yet.
Happenstance, These are cactus, and I'm not an expert, and I will do the best I can.
I'm going out on a limb on this, I think I may know what those two are, but it's not written in stone, would you want some names to start you out on a search. The upper one should get red leaves, and may be R. rhombea or R. pachyptera Bonn 04275 these leaves are rather wide, and look more like an Epi
The bottom one maybe will change as it gets older, are the leaves flat? If it has stopped raining I will go out and get those names for you. I think it may be R. lepismium (Rhipsalis houlletianum or houlletiana? spelling) It's pouring, Mine are older plants, the the bottom grows with long bald stems with that green stuff on the bottom and hangs down. So I am certainly not sure. I hate maybe and perhaps, but that is the best I can do. It is not in flower at this time. Let me know what name you end up with? Norma
Thanks Norma, Clare thought the same thing of the first plant when I posted it on the ID forum, so I've asked her to come back over here to join in. :-)
It does look a lot like an Epi. But the leaves are thinner and it is a lot "floppier" (now I'm sure that's a scientific word!) than the Epis I'm familiar with. If you look at the second image, it shows a closeup of the first plant and the leaf edges are indeed red. I'd be inclined to go with R. pachyptera because it's close if not exact. And I don't have any intention of going through all the links to find a better match! Do you believe this website linked below.....there's thousands of them! LOL
Here's the page for R. pachyptera: http://rhipsalis.com/species/pachyptera.htm
But look at the pages and pages and pages of Rhipsalis listed:
http://rhipsalis.com/speciesindx-l-q.htm
So thanks to both you and Clare.
The last picture is of another plant altogether. The leaves are very flat, have a shiny smooth almost slick feel to them. Can't wait to see what it does.
Hi Candy, LOL! Just looking at the list of Rhipsalis makes me tired. The name wouldn't be important enough for me to go through all of those either! I think R. pachyptera is pretty darn close. I'm afraid I can't help you with that last one, but if I run across it, I will report back to you. You have been so helpful to me that I am happy to help you any way that I can. It sure is beautiful whatever it is.
Clare I have both of those plants and they did come from the Huntington Gardens. I just got a batch of new ones from a friend and haven't the foggiest idea what they are. I just hope they root. The foliage is great and different on the second plant. Clare I only live about 25 miles from you, why don't you just drop over here some time, and take a look at what I have. I sure would like the names on the new ones, I don't want to trade until I know what they are. We certainly don't need more plants without names around. I didn't know that there was so many available. Thanks Clare for helping both of us. Norma
I honestly don't know much about these plants. The only thing I do know about them are that they are a primitive member of the Cactus family and that they are the only member of the Cactus family that has some species that come from the Eastern Hemisphere (Africa).
That said--I have three Rhipsalis. The first one I got years ago is that very thin round, stringy one. I forget the species name offhand, but it is the most common that one usually sees. The second one I got about three or four years ago and it is like the one that Happenstance started this thread with. When I first got it, I thought it was an Epi too until it bloomed. Tiny little cream-colored blossoms all along the leaf edge. Here it is.
-Ron-
This last one I got at the Cactus and Succulents Society meeting about a year ago. It hasn't bloomed yet.
-Ron-
Rhipsalis! One of my newest passions.
But I'm with Clare...just the list can make you dizzy....so many look so much alike!
The growth can be variable...some stems flat and some 3 (or more) sided....enough to make your head spin to try to figure out one's ID without flowers/berries, then again, many of the flowers and berries are similar, as well!
But like Norma says, you've almost got to know their ID to trade, if you wish....but then you're back to 'square one'!
Nice photos of nice plants, folks.
Beautiful plants, Ron.
Norma, I have to commute to Los Angeles during the week, and I drive about 140 miles a day, but thank you for the invitation. I honestly don't know very much about cacti and succulents and doubt sincerely that I could identify what you have. My main interest are really the night-blooming epi's. I've done a little research on those only.
I'm really clueless when it comes to the Rhipsalis and most nursery employees get that "glazed" look in their eyes when you ask for a NAME! LOL
Ron the one you posted at 11:12 this AM looks similar to something I got a year or so ago, let me see if I can find the name....some sort of cactus hybrid that started with an 'A'.........
Found it! Check the pictures and see if there is any resemblance to yours:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/37525/
Which species come from Africa please? Norma
Do you have about 4-6 hours to do some reading???? LOL
Here are a couple of links with some information on the theories behind why Rhipsalis is found in the Old World, whereas most other Cacti were introduced into the Old World.
The Rhipsalis Riddle
http://www.rhipsalis.com/maxwell.htm
Evolution of cactus
http://www.cssnz.org/evolution-of-cactus.php
I think I might have a tentative ID or at least be closer than "Rhipsalis". I'm reposting the image from above so you don't have to scroll up and down. What about this one? I found one similar or the same as this newer one in my greenhouse.
Lepismium houlletianum
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&lr=&q=lepismium+houlletianum&btnG=Search
Although you can't always rely on the internet for accuracy, also check out Desert Tropicals for some other Epi / Rhipsalis look alikes, older names, help in finding ID's on some of these epiphytes.
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Lepismium.html
cactiguide.com
http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Lepismium
Any ideas?
I think you found it. It looks very close if not identical to Lepismium houlletianum. You'll know for sure when you see flowers and can compare them to some of the flowers at the Google site.
Clare I think you are right. I have this name on mine from the Huntington, but names do change. Norma