Structure and species identification
Green stem segments may be cylindrical, conspicuously ribbed or flattened and leaf-like. These are stem organs, with areoles marking sites from which branches and flowers develop. A regional revision from Minas Gerais used segment shape, branching pattern, flower position, hairs and mature fruit colour together to distinguish species. Similar-looking stems may belong to separate species that are more readily recognised in flower [Tortorelli et al. 2025].
A six-species study revealed additional differences in the epidermis. Stomata, the pores regulating gas exchange, may lie in depressions or level with neighbouring cells. Depressions form a network in Rhipsalis grandiflora, while Rhipsalis teres has longitudinal bands. The stem interior contains parenchyma, mucilage cells and vascular tissues. These microscopic features aid identification, although anatomy alone does not establish a plant’s resistance to drought [Calvente et al. 2008].
Fruits and the establishment of new plants
Fleshy fruits contain small seeds embedded in mucilage. Birds consumed fruits of several studied species, and experimental observations showed Euphonia depositing sticky seeds on supports. The effect of gut passage depended on the cactus and bird species. Rhipsalis juengeri represents a different case, with a strong fruit scent documented experimentally. Bat dispersal proposed from these traits remains a hypothesis requiring field observations [Guaraldo et al. 2013] [Schlumpberger et al. 2006].
Germination and seedling survival are separate stages. In experiments with eight species, moderate temperatures generally favoured germination, while reduced water availability suppressed it and increased seedling mortality in some species. A seed that delayed development could recover germination after conditions improved. The route from fruit to rooted plant is explored in the article on colonisation of tree crowns [Gonçalo et al. 2026].
Habitat diversity and current names
The Brazilian Atlantic Forest contains considerable diversity of the genus, while individual species occupy different habitats. Rhipsalis flagelliformis was described from lowland forest fragments where plants also grew in strong light. Rhipsalis baccifera, in contrast, has a natural distribution extending to Africa and Sri Lanka. Cultivation conditions are best related to an identified species and documented plant origin. General principles are discussed in the chapter on epiphytic cactus biology and cultivation [Tortorelli et al. 2025] [Taylor et al. 2014] [2-WWW].
In the POWO checklist checked on 21 October 2026, the genus contained 45 accepted species. Rhipsalis boanova, described in a 2026 protologue and not yet listed there, is treated separately. Revised specimen identifications and new records change knowledge of distributions. The Minas Gerais revision showed how correcting a herbarium label can remove an erroneous occurrence record while leaving the species itself taxonomically distinct [2-WWW] [Taylor et al. 2026a] [Tortorelli et al. 2025].
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