Lepismium cruciforme
(Vell.) Miq.
Cactaceae
Cactus cruciformis Vell.
Cereus cruciformis (Arráb.) Steud.
Cereus elegans Pfeiff.
Cereus knightii J.Parm. ex Pfeiff.
Cereus myosurus Salm-Dyck ex DC.
Cereus setosus G.Lodd.
Cereus squamulosus Salm-Dyck ex DC.
Cereus tenuis DC.
Cereus tenuispinus Haw.
Hariota knightii (C.F.Först.) Kuntze
Hariota ramosisima (Lem.) Kuntze
Hariota squamulosa Kuntze
Lepismium anceps (F.A.C.Weber) Borg
Lepismium cavernosum G.Lindb.
Lepismium commune Pfeiff.
Lepismium knightii Pfeiff.
Lepismium myosurus Pfeiff.
Lepismium ramosissimum Lem.
Lepismium tenue Pfeiff.
Lepismium vollii Backeb.
Rhipsalis anceps F.A.C.Weber
Rhipsalis brevibarbis K.Schum.
Rhipsalis cavernosa (G.Lindb.) K.Schum.
Rhipsalis communis (Pfeiff.) Mottet
Rhipsalis cruciformis (Vell.) A.Cast.
Rhipsalis ensiformis F.A.C.Weber
Rhipsalis knightii C.F.Först.
Rhipsalis macropogon K.Schum.
Rhipsalis mittleri C.F.Först.
Rhipsalis myosurus (Pfeiff.) C.F.Först.
Rhipsalis radicans F.A.C.Weber
Rhipsalis ramosissima (Lem.) K.Schum.
Rhipsalis squamulosa (Salm-Dyck ex DC.) K.Schum.
Common Name:
General Information
Lepismium cruciforme is a virtually spine-free, succulent shrub, semi-erect or creeping with some branching, with stems up to 180cm long. The stem segments are extremely variable, linear to lance shaped, three- to five-angled, winged, or flat, up to 50cm long and 2cm wide, often with a purple colour[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
,
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.
Although there has been decline in the northern part of its range, Lepismium cruciforme is still very widespread and sufficiently common. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
Range
S. America - Uruguay, northeastern Argentina, southeastern Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil, north to Pernambuco
Habitat
A disjunct humid forest element: growing as an epiphyte or lithophyte in the Atlantic rainforest,forest,
coastal forest and rocky outcrops; at elevations from sea level to 1,200 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Lepismium cruciforme is an extremely variable species, with individuals from different parts of the range looking very different from each other[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The plant (part not specified) is used as a sedative[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
]. (As Lepismium myosurus Pfeiff.)
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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.
