5416.000 Rhipsalis Gaertn.

Epiphyte (rarely a lithophyte) on trees. Stems green, cylindric with articulated whorled branches up to 1 m. Leaves 0 or reduced to minute scales. Young plants bear areoles subtended by minute scales with tufted bristles. Flowers lateral, white or greenish-white; perianth segments 8-13, the outermost 3-5 small, unequal, ± succulent, greenish, the inner 5-8 translucent. Fruit mucilaginous, white, yellow or pink. Seeds with a caruncle, black and glossy (in ours).

Derivation of name: from the Greek for wicker work, reffering to the long, thin, interlacing branches chacteristic of many species in this genus.

Worldwide: c. 60 species; all but one confined to tropical and subtropical America.

Malawi: 1 taxon.