Rhipsalis (Mistletoe or Jungle Cactus)

The Rhipsalis genus comprises cacti commonly called ‘Rhipsalis’, ‘mistletoe cactus’, or ‘jungle cactus’.

All are epiphtyes, meaning they live on trees but do not harm them — like Staghorn ferns, their roots are used to anchor themselves to trees and not for nourishment. They instead obtain nutrients from collected leaf litter and dead insescts.

Rhipsalis are flowering plants like all cacti, but are grown predominantly for their stunning and unusual foliage, and are especially suited to hanging baskets.

The majority of Rhipsalis species hail from South America, and especially Brazil. Others are found in the Carribean and small pockets of Africa and Asia.