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Useful Tropical Plants

Epiphyllum phyllanthus

(L.) Haw.

Cactaceae


A very variable species, it has been subdivided into several diferent varieties and subspecies.

+ Synonyms

Cactus phyllanthus L.

Cereus phyllanthus (L.) DC.

Epiphyllum gaillardae Britton & Rose

Epiphyllum hookeri Haw.

Epiphyllum pittieri (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose

Hariota macrocarpa (Miq.) Kuntze

Opuntia phyllanthus (L.) Mill.

Phyllocactus gaillardae (Britton & Rose) Vaupel

Phyllocactus phyllanthus (L.) Link.

Rhipsalis macrocarpa Miq.

Rhipsalis phyllanthus K.Schum.

Common Name: Pitainha

Epiphyllum phyllanthus
Drawing of the fruiting plant
Photograph by: Moninckx, J., Moninckx atlas, vol. 8: t. 4 (1682-1709)
Creative Commons License
Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum phyllanthus Epiphyllum phyllanthus

General Information

Pitainha is an epiphytic, succulent, evergreen perennial plant producing aerial roots on the stems[
416
Title
Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
Year
2000
ISBN
85-867174-24-0
Description
A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
].
The fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use, but is not widely appreciated[
416
Title
Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
Year
2000
ISBN
85-867174-24-0
Description
A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
]. The plant is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

S. America - Argentina, Bolivia and Brazil, north to the Caribbean and Panama.

Habitat

An epiphytic plant, found on trees in the forests[
416
Title
Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
Year
2000
ISBN
85-867174-24-0
Description
A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height0.00 m
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, it requires a mean minimum temperature no lower than 12°c and is not frost tolerant.
Prefers a position in light shade. Requires a moist but well-drained soil.
The fragrant flowers open of a night time[
16
Title
New Vegetable Growers Handbook.
Publication
 
Author
Simons.
Publisher
Penguin
Year
1977
ISBN
0-14-046-050-0
Description
A good guide to growing vegetables in temperate areas, not entirely organic.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[
416
Title
Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
Year
2000
ISBN
85-867174-24-0
Description
A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
]. A succulent, mucilaginous pulp with a slightly sweet flavour[
416
Title
Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
Year
2000
ISBN
85-867174-24-0
Description
A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
].

Medicinal

The leaves are used as a remedy for back pain, coughs and colds, as a laxative and remedy for whooping cough[
348
Title
Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
Publication
 
Author
DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
Website
http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
Publisher
Smithsonian Museum
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Stem cuttings.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Epiphyllum%20phyllanthus>

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