Rhipsalis baccifera is the one cactus that defies the rule that all cacti are native to the Americas. Three of the six recognized subspecies occur in the Old World. Subspecies horrida is the most recognizable of all of these as its neotenic stems are short, more profusely branching, and covered with fine spines characteristic of juvenile plants of the species. Tetraploid and octaploid forms of subspecies horrida are known. The vigor of the clone offered here may indicate the higher ploidy level though that remains to be tested. Rooted cuttings of HBG 132147, one of the associated collections acquired in 2015 with the Loran Whitelock cycads. This subspecies is known as an epiphyte or lithophyte endemic to Madagascar. $10.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 92 (2), Summer 2020