Rhipsalis cereuscula.
Rice or Mistletoe Cactus is a shrubby succulent epiphytic plant.
The stems are of 2 types (long and short – dimorphic) each of limited growth (determinate).
New first order stems are long, erect, cylindrical, round in cross section and only 2 to 4 mm thick
When they have reached their predetermined length of 60 to 90 cm they branch into a cluster of 3 or 4 second order stems.
Second order stems are up to 10 (30) cm long and 3 to 4 mm thick.
They are round to ribbed in cross section and have adventitious roots.
The weight of this cluster of stems causes the first order stem to become pendant.
The ends of the second order stems have 2 to a dense cluster of third order stems.
These often club-shaped short stems are 1 to 3 cm long and 3 to 4 mm thick.
They are slightly angled in cross section and branch into 2 to 5 segments.
Some terminal segments are only a few mms long and almost spherical resembling rice grains.
All order stems have areoles with around 3 bristles 1 to 1.5 mm long that fall off early.
Inflorescences are a single flower, from an areole at or near the end of the terminal stems.
The pendulous flowers, up to 2 cm across are directly attached to the stem.
The pale green pericarpel around the inferior ovary may be smooth or have an occasional tiny scale +/- bristles.
There are up to 15 cream, white or pinkish tepals around 10 mm long.
The numerous stamens are slightly shorter than the 1 cm long style.
The stigma has 3 to 5 lobes.
The fruit are tiny white berries.
J.F.
