Epiphyllum chrysocardium (syn. Selenicereus chrysocardium) is an epiphytic cactus endemic to Mexico. It is sometimes called fern leaf cactus, or golden heart epiphyllum.
Epiphyllum chrysocardium is a large, epiphytic plant with pale green flat, fleshy stems, up to 1.8 m long, and up to 30 cm wide phylloclades.
The nocturnal, white, fragrant flowers are 30âÂÂ35 cm long. The filaments are golden yellow. The stigma has 12âÂÂ13 lobes. The green, globose, 5âÂÂ6.5 cm long, and 4âÂÂ5 cm wide fruit is densely covered in bristles.
It was published by Edward Johnston Alexander in 1956. It used to be the only species in the genus Chiapasophyllum, in addition to a former inclusion in the genus Selenicereus (commonly referred to as the fishbone, ric-rac or zig-zag cacti), but molecular phylogenetic studies show that it belongs to Epiphyllum.
The specific epithet chrysocardium from chryso- meaning gold and -cardium meaning heart means gold-hearted.
It occurs in the Mexican states Chiapas and Tabasco in montane cloud forests.
Epiphyllum chrysocardium is a threatened species. The IUCN conservation status is data deficient (DD). The trade falls under the CITES Appendix II regulations.