Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S.Muell.) Stearn

Cactaceae, M. L. Gonçalves. Flora Zambesiaca 4. 1978

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c. 1 mm. long, black, glossy, finely pitted, subpyriform.

Morphology General Habit

Much-branched succulent unarmed epiphytic shrub up to 3 m. long, pendent; stems ± furrowed, green or pale green, with ± verticillate articulated branches up to 1 m. long, sometimes producing adventitious roots at branch apices; branches cylindrical, green, leafless; young plants with areoles subtended by minute triangular scales with 1(2) deciduous tufted setae.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers up to 10 mm. in diameter, white or greenish-white, often numerous along the branches.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth-segments unequal, the outermost ± triangular to oblong, unequal, the inner ones up to 3 mm. long, oblong to ovate-oblong, spreading, translucent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens c. 20, slightly shorter than inner segments of perianth; anthers ± 0·5 mm. in diameter, globular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary prominent, c. 3 × 2·5 mm., with numerous ovules; style thick, ± as long as segments of perianth; stigma 3–5-partite with oblong fleshy spreading lobes.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit 4–8 mm. in diameter, a spherical or elongate white or pink berry, pellucid, surmounted by the remains of perianth, with a viscid pulp.

Cactaceae, R. Hunt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit

Much-branched pendent epiphytic shrub l–3(–9) m. long.

Morphology Stem

Stems slender, cylindric, 2–8 mm. in diameter, sometimes slightly furrowed, arising in pairs or clusters from tips of older branches, pale green, occasionally producing adventitious roots.

Morphology General Spines

Areoles subtended by minute triangular scales, naked or with l(–2) short stiff bristles 1 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers lateral, solitary, small, white or yellowish.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth-segments 9–12, outermost triangular, inner oblong, obtuse, 2–3 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens ± 10–20, inserted at base of perianth, ± as long as perianth.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style thick; stigmas 3–5.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Berry spherical or somewhat elongate, 5–8 mm. in diameter, pellucid, white, pink or red.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds black, glossy, subpyriform, ± 1 mm. long.

Figures

Fig. 2, p. 6.

Habitat

Epiphytic or in humus on rocks; lowland and upland rain-forest and upland evergreen bushland; 550–2200 m.

Distribution

widespread in tropical Africa from Ivory Coast east to Ethiopia and as far south as NatalMadagascar, Mascarene Is., CeylonFlorida, West Indies, Central and tropical South America K1 K4 K5 K6 K7 T1 T2 T3 T7 U2 U4 Z

Bernal, R., G. Galeano, A. Rodríguez, H. Sarmiento y M. Gutiérrez. 2017. Nombres Comunes de las Plantas de Colombia. http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/

Vernacular

disciplina, disciplinas, lluvia de perlas, parásita

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/62378/121561919

Conservation

LC - least concern

Bernal, R., Gradstein, S.R. & Celis, M. (eds.). 2015. Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá. http://catalogoplantasdecolombia.unal.edu.co

Distribution

Nativa en Colombia; Alt. 100 - 1500 m.; Andes, Guayana y Serranía de La Macarena, Llanura del Caribe, Orinoquia, Valle del Cauca, Valle del Magdalena.

Morphology General Habit

Hierba, epífita

Conservation

Preocupación Menor

Distribution

Biogeografic region: Andean, Guiana Shield, Caribbean, Orinoquia. Elevation range: 100–1500 m a.s.l. Native to Colombia. Colombian departments: Antioquia, Boyacá, Caquetá, Cauca, Cesar, Chocó, Cundinamarca, Guainía, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Norte de Santander, Quindío, Santander, Tolima, Valle del Cauca.

Habit

Herb, Epiphyte.

Conservation

IUCN Red List Assessment (2021): LC. Listed in Appendix II of CITES.

Vernacular

Disciplinas, Lluvia de perlas

Use Animal Food

Used as animal food.

Use Environmental

Environmental uses.

Use Food

Used for food.

Use Medicines

Medical uses.