Holiday Cactus

Read about Holiday Cactus in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Zygocactus truncatus, Schum. (Epiphyllum truncatum, Haw.). Crab Cactus. Christmas Cactus. Fig. 4055. Sts. much branched and hanging in large bunches from the trees; joints obovate to oblong, with strongly truncate apex, 1 1/4 - 2 in. long by about 3/4 - 1 in. broad, bright green, margins coarsely serrate, with 1-3 large, acute teeth on each side, the 2 upper ones forming more or less incurved horns on either side of the truncation: areoles bearing a few short yellowish or dark-colored bristles, or sometimes none: fls. horizontal, growing from the truncated end of the younger joints, strongly irregular, 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 in. long, in various shades of red: fr. pear-shaped, red, about 3/8 in. diam. Brazil. B.M. 2562. G.C. III. 19:9.— Most of the forms in cult. are hybrids between this species and some other of the genus or with allies of Cereus. A common basket- and rafter-plant. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.