Generic limits
The accepted POWO list includes P. asuntapatensis, P. boliviana, P. ianthothele, P. miyagawae, P. monacantha and P. paranganiensis. Acanthorhipsalis and Bolivihanburya are generic synonyms. Their historical inclusion in a broadly circumscribed Lepismium reflects a different interpretation of their relationships. [2-WWW] [Korotkova et al. 2010, POWO 5482-1, 12 October 2026, pp. 158–165]
In 2010, Korotkova and colleagues compared eight plastid regions. They recovered two separate lineages within the former broad genus Pfeiffera. The lineage containing the nomenclatural type, P. ianthothele, retained the name Pfeiffera. The other was separated as Lymanbensonia, related to Calymmanthium. Similar epiphytic growth forms thus evolved in distinct cactus lineages. [Korotkova et al. 2010, pp. 151, 156–160]
Stems and flowers
Stems branch from lateral positions along a growing section. The generic description calls this growth pattern mesotonic. Stem sections retain the capacity to elongate and do not detach after reaching a fixed length. Areoles lie on the stem surface and usually carry hairs, bristles or spines. In some species the stems remain distinctly ribbed, while in others they are flattened. [Korotkova et al. 2010, pp. 161–165]
Flowers usually arise singly from lateral areoles. In most species they have a short funnel-shaped or broadly bell-shaped structure. Floral colour and size, armature on the outer surface and ripe fruit shape help distinguish similar species. In the key, P. miyagawae stands out through its larger intensely orange flowers, while P. asuntapatensis has red to orange flowers and densely woolly areoles. [Korotkova et al. 2010, pp. 164–165, species key]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Acanthorhipsalis · Bolivihanburya [2-WWW]