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

Common Name: Pitainha

General Information

Epiphyllum phyllanthus is a much-branched, epiphytic, succulent, evergreen shrubby plant producing aerial roots on the stems[]. The primary stems are round in cross section to three-angled basally for 50 - 100cm, or more, often branched, then flattened for 100cm or more. Secondary stems arise from the flattened portion of the primary stems, round in cross section to three-angled basally for only 2cm, then flattened for 25 - 50cm, stiff to flexible, 3 - 10cm wide, with conspicuous midribs[].
The fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use, but is not widely appreciated[]. The fruit is often gathered from the wild in Guatemala[]. The plant is cultivated as an ornamental.
Epiphyllum phyllanthus populations have been reduced due to deforestation in parts of Brazil. Nevertheless, it is still very widespread, extremely common, and fairly tolerant of disturbance. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northeast Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas, Panama north to central Mexico

Habitat

An epiphytic plant, found on trees in a range of habitas including mangrove swamps, moist forests, drier forests, wooded savannah and even on trees in cities; at elevations from sea level to 1,300 metres or more[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Pollinators	Bats, Moths
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Epiphyllum phyllanthus is a plant of the moist tropics, it requires a mean minimum temperature no lower than 12°c and is not frost tolerant.
An epiphytic plant, it requires a shady position in a humus rich, free-draining soil and a pH below 6[, ].
The fragrant flowers open of a night time[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. A succulent, mucilaginous pulp with a slightly sweet flavour[]. The fruit is red with a white pulp[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used as a remedy for back pain, coughs and colds, as a laxative and as a remedy for whooping cough[].
The leaves are used to treat cripples and to heal cuts[].

An infusion of the plant is used to treat inflammation of the face, vaporizations are made and baths are also carried out[].
The plant is crushed, put on the fire and then placed on the body like a plaster, to immobilize the area affected by fractures[].
It is a common practice in Guatemala to bind the tough, wide stems of the various Epiphyllum species around fractures. They act as efficient bandages, hold the broken parts in place, and are popularly believed to aid in healing them[].

The fruit is eaten, accompanied by a glass of water, as a purgative[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Stem cuttings.

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