''Epiphyllum phyllanthus'', commonly known as the climbing cactus, is a species of

epiphytic An epiphyte is a plant or plant-like organism that grows on the surface of another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphyt ...

cacti. It has no leaves, instead having stems that photosynthesise. It is thought to be pollinated by

hawkmoth The Sphingidae are a family of moths commonly called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as hornworms. It includes about 1,450 species. It is best represented in the tropics, but species ar ...

s, as the flowers only open at night and produce a strong fragrance. It is the most common epiphyte on the tree, '' Platypodium elegans'', particularly growing in cavities in the trunk.

References

External links

Epiphyllum phyllanthus
at Discover Life, including photographs. {{Taxonbar, from=Q990079

phyllanthus ''Phyllanthus'' is the largest genus in the plant family Phyllanthaceae. Estimates of the number of species in this genus vary widely, from 750David J. Mabberley. 2008. ''Mabberley's Plant-Book.'' third edition (2008). Cambridge University ...