Scope of the genus
Plants of the World Online accepts H. cylindrica, H. herminiae and H. salicornoides within Hatiora. Easter cacti formerly known as Hatiora gaertneri and H. rosea are placed in Rhipsalidopsis in this treatment. Historical names remain useful when reading older literature and assigning studies to the relevant plants [2-WWW].
Stem development and research scope
In Hatiora salicornoides, treated as H. salicornioides in the study, young terminal segments are club shaped, whereas older segments become cylindrical. In mature plants, the basal regions of older shoots develop a cork periderm. Comparison of segments at different positions revealed developmental changes in the epidermis, supporting tissues and wood. Segment age is therefore an important component of the anatomical description of this genus [Lemos and Melo-de-Pinna 2011].