Name and taxonomic history
Martínez-González and colleagues published a detailed description under the name Nopalxochia phyllanthoides. Their analysis of two plastid regions proposed a separate generic treatment. A later comparison of six chloroplast markers placed the species in Disocactus. The atlas uses the current POWO name Disocactus phyllanthoides. [Martínez-González et al. 2015, Martínez2015 pp.241–250, Cruz2016 pp.145–158] [Cruz et al. 2016, Martínez2015 pp.241–250, Cruz2016 pp.145–158] [2-WWW]
Stem structure
Material from the Sierra Madre Oriental formed branching epiphytic or rock-growing plants. Stems had cylindrical bases and lanceolate flattened portions with a conspicuous central vascular axis and crenate margin. Small spines on young stems were shed as the stems aged. [Martínez-González et al. 2015, pp.242–245]
Flower and fruit
The described flowers were pink, with numerous stamens and a basal nectar chamber. The floral tube curved above the pericarpel. The fruit was elliptical and changed from green to purplish red during ripening. It contained numerous reddish-brown seeds. [Martínez-González et al. 2015, pp.244–246]
Distribution in Mexico
The paper documents localities in Hidalgo, Puebla and Veracruz within the Sierra Madre Oriental. They included humid montane forests. The 2015 account identified habitat alteration by fires, agriculture and forest use as threats. These observations retain the date and scope of the field study. [Martínez-González et al. 2015, pp.241–242, 246–248]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Nopalxochia phyllanthoides [2-WWW]