Epiphyllum phyllanthus
(L.) Haw.
Cactaceae
A very variable species, it has been subdivided into several diferent varieties and subspecies.
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
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 |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, 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.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
