Rhipsalis baccifera, also known as the mistletoe cactus, has a multitude of narrow green stems that hang down or grow in a vine-like pattern. Like other species of cacti, it has flowers that bear fruit in a semi-annual pattern of bloom. The fruit of R. baccifera take the form of small greenish-white berries that are often eaten by birds and small mammals. Unlike other species of cacti, the stems of R. baccifera only bear spines when the plant is young, and the stems become smooth when the plant reaches maturity. The multiple stems only grow to about 0.3 inches in diameter, but can grow as long as 30 feet if growth is uninhibited. R. baccifera also has three main stem shapes: terete, angular, and flattened. They are all succulent but the degree of succulence varies between the stem types. Some have very thick stems that are able to hold more water, while others are very thin that can hold less. Anything above 50 degrees F is the preferred temperature, even though stems are able to withstand down to 15 degrees F. When growing, only low to medium light is needed, and it does not need bright sunlight to survive. Unlike most cacti, mistletoe cactus comes from tropical rainforests rather than the desert.
The distribution of Rhipsalis baccifera is by far the most interesting aspect of this common cactus. R. baccifera can be found all over South America and as far north as the Florida in North America. However, unlike any other species of cactus in the world, R. baccifera is found outside of the Americas. It’s distribution extends into the jungles of central Africa, Madagascar, and most curiously, the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean. How R. baccifera came to be so widely distributed over the world while all other species of cacti are confined to the western hemisphere remains a topic of much speculation. How this type of species grows is also unique and has earned it the nickname of the mistletoe cactus. The cactus species thrives in the northern and southern hemisphere close to the equator throughout Mexico and South America. It also grows in the wild in southern Africa and tropical America and was introduced to the southern tip of Florida where it is now endangered. Everglades national park held a single cactus on a buttonwood tree that hurricane Wilma destroyed in the eighties . Since then, the cactus can typically be bought online or something so you can grow it at home in the United States. Many people grow it in hanging baskets. It is not endangered anywhere else that it grows naturally. The species is epiphytic which means it naturally grows on another plant and draws moisture and nutrients from the air. They can also grows on rocky surfaces and can reach up to 1700 meters in elevation. The mystery of why this specific species is distributed in places other than the Americas remains unsolved. However there are a few theories. One theory is that perhaps birds fed on the fruit of the Rhipsalis baccifera and carried the seeds in their gut when migrating to different areas of the world most likely before land masses separated so far apart. “The success and fast radiation of Rhipsalis baccifera in the Neo and Paleotropics can also be attributed to its unique adaptability to withstand selective pressures and quickly establish in new areas with similar ecological conditions” (Cota-Sanchez). Vivipary, meaning germinating or producing seeds that germinate before becoming detached from the parent plant, has been documented in this species which is thought to be a mechanism for protecting the embryo and a specialized trait of evolutionary and biological significance providing new avenues for survival (Cota Sanchez). This might also explain its wide distribution and survival rate.
R. baccifera is a remarkably hardy succulent, as demonstrated by its incredibly wide range of habitats throughout the world. Like many other species of cacti, R. baccifera is an epiphyte, which means its primary method of obtaining water is to draw it from the humid tropical air with its large amount of stem surface area. R. baccifera has a repeating bloom period, which essentially means it blooms indefinitely throughout the year. This sort of blooming pattern lends itself well to a tropical environment where there is little to no differentiation between seasons. The irregular bloom pattern of R. baccifera could also be a factor in its wide distribution. Migratory birds who feast on the tiny fruit of R. baccifera have the entire year to transport the seeds back and forth between continents. R. baccifera is classified as “least threatened” on the IUCN red list of threatened species. As an epiphyte, access to light is secondary to moisture availability, and as climate change progresses, the old world habitats of R. baccifera are at a greater risk of experiencing periodic drought (Manzano, 2010). Lack of moisture is the limiting factor that prevents seed germination in R. baccifera, and could push the nutrient storage capabilities of the seeds in future generations. The current limit for dormancy in R. baccifera seeds is about one year. Slight variances in characteristics between new world and old world populations of R. baccifera have been observed, and these differences could reasonably be attributed to climate change factors. These differences are subtle, and are most noticeable in the seeds of R. baccifera. Old world populations have seeds that are noticeably larger, especially for those plants found in Africa (Cota-Sánchez, 2010). This increased cell size is due to increasing polyploidization in African populations, and the smallest seeds in populations found in South America give an indication to the origins of this well-traveled species.
Rhipsalis baccifera can and has been used for medicinal purposes over time. The juice of the cactus is known to help prevent inflammation in muscles, arteries, intestines, and cardiovascular region. The plant is used to treat the bite of a coral snake and can also be used to soothe wounds caused by venomous stingray. With the combination of the plant and water, a simple bath of water can be transformed into a luxurious herbal bath. The origins of R. baccifera in the old world remain a mystery to scientists, as it remains the only species of cacti to occur naturally outside of the western hemisphere. Several theories have been posited and refuted by scientists over the years, with no one hypothesis being completely testable or airtight. The most common and obvious hypothesis gives trans-Atlantic migratory birds credit for spreading the seeds found inside the small fruits of R. baccifera. The problem with this hypothesis is that there are no known species of frugivorous birds who can make a transatlantic flight. Another hypothesis holds continental breakup responsible for the distribution of R. baccifera, specifically the breakup of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana(Giaimo, 2017). However, the emergence of cacti as a species is estimated to have taken place about 5-10 million years ago. This speciation of cacti is estimated to have occurred much too late in geologic history to have been affected by the breakup of Gondwana. The third hypothesis involves early 18th century mariners who made frequent visits to the old world. R. baccifera could have been brought onboard trading ships as a pleasant interior decoration. These ships then made stops at ports in West Africa and Sri Lanka, allowing the seeds of R. baccifera to be spread. The problem with this theory is that R. baccifera is generally not found around port cities, but it is otherwise regarded as the most plausible hypothesis (Giaimo 2017). However R. baccifera made its journey from the new world to the old, it presents a fascinating example of how certain hardy species can travel the world while similar species fail.
Rhipsalis baccifera, commonly known as the mistletoe cactus, is an epiphytic cactus which originates from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida. It is also found throughout the tropics of Africa and into Sri Lanka where it is known in Sinhala as nawahandi (නවහන්දි).[2] This is the only cactus species naturally occurring outside the Americas. One hypothesis is that it was introduced to the Old World by migratory birds, long enough ago for the Old World populations to be regarded as distinct subspecies.[3] An alternative hypothesis holds that the species initially crossed the Atlantic Ocean on European ships trading between South America and Africa, after which birds may have spread it more widely.[4]
The species shows considerable polymorphism and can be divided into numerous subspecies. Mesoamerican specimens are usually tetraploid and South American specimens are diploid. The genera currently assigned to the tribe Rhipsalideae (which include Hatiora, Lepismium, and Schlumbergera in addition to Rhipsalis) were subject to considerable confusion and disagreement prior to the clarification by Wilhelm Barthlott and Nigel Taylor in 1995.[5]
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Rhipsalis baccifera, commonly known as the mistletoe cactus, is an epiphytic cactus which originates from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida. It is also found throughout the tropics of Africa and into Sri Lanka where it is known in Sinhala as nawahandi (නවහන්දි). This is the only cactus species naturally occurring outside the Americas. One hypothesis is that it was introduced to the Old World by migratory birds, long enough ago for the Old World populations to be regarded as distinct subspecies. An alternative hypothesis holds that the species initially crossed the Atlantic Ocean on European ships trading between South America and Africa, after which birds may have spread it more widely.
