Rhipsalis
| Rhipsalis | |
|---|---|
| Flowering Rhipsalis cereuscula | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Tribe: | Rhipsalideae |
| Genus: | Rhipsalis Gaertn. |
| Species | |
|
Numerous, see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Rhipsalis (/ˈrɪpsəlɪs/ RIP-suh-lis) is a genus of epiphytic flowering plants in the cactus family, typically known as mistletoe cacti. They are found in parts of Central America, the Caribbean and northern regions of South America. One species, Rhipsalis baccifera also inhabits locations in Africa and Asia, and is the only cactus species naturally occurring in the Old World. This is the largest and most widely distributed genus of epiphytic cacti (those which live on other plants without damaging them).
The scientific name Rhipsalis derives from the Ancient Greek term for wickerwork, referring to the plants' many entangled or intertwined branches.