Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri

Native to the South American rain forests, this cactus is epiphytic, making its home on trees. Its stems are made up of flat, narrow segments connected by a midrib. The segments are not scalloped or toothed. Joints usually flattened, but sometimes 3 to 6-angled, fleshy, 5 cm. long or more by 2 cm. broad, dull green except the purplish crenate margins. Flowers arise 1 to 3, usually all at distal end of the terminal branches, 4 cm long, dark scarlet. Outermost petals are usually 5, short, thick, triangular, spreading. Innermost petals are more erect, nearly distinct, pointed. All of the petals, except the 5 outer ones, are more or less coalesce and withering, remaining on top of ovary. Ovary is crowned by a slightly depressed disk with upturned margin, which passes into the flower-tube. On the margin are borne the free stamens. Style is slender, 1.5 cm. long, red - stigma-lobes 6, linear, cream-colored. Ovary is dark red, angled, 1.2 cm long. Fruit is red, oblong, 1.5 cm long, depressed at the tip.