Epiphyllum pumilum is a cactus species native to Mexico and Guatemala. The species is commonly grown as an ornamental for its beautiful, fragrant flowers in the summer.
This specific epithet refers to the relatively small flowers of this species. History F. Eichlam found this cacti in Guatemala and sent a living specimen to the U. S. which flowered in Washington on October 3, 1912. It had previously been collected at several occasions but passed as E. pittieri. Unaware of its variable nature, Britton and Rose described the same species again in the same paper, under the name E. caudatum. This time from a specimen collected in Oaxaca, Mexico collected by E. W. Nelson in 1894. Later the same year, Vaupel transferred the two taxa to Phyllocactus, an invalid name used in Europe by that time.
Mexico (Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Oaxaca, Chiapas) to the lowlands of Guatemala.
This species is closely related to Epiphyllum oxypetalum and differs mainly in its smaller flowers.
Easily cultivated and fast growing. Needs a compost containing plenty of humus and plenty of moisture in summer. Will not tolerate low winter temperatures, around 12 ðC (53,5 ðF) will be more suitable. Best grown in semi-shade. Usually flowers in summer or in the early autumn.
Stems erect, later ascending becoming pendent, to 5 m long or more, woody at base, profusely branched, primary stems, terete for 80âÂÂ150 cm, secondary stems and apical parts of primary stems flat (rarely 3-angled), elongated-lanceolate, terete at base, 10âÂÂ60 cm long, 3âÂÂ8,5 cm wide, acute to long acuminate, rather thick when mature, margins remotely toothed to indented, shallowly undulate or shallowly crenate; epidermis green. Flowers 10âÂÂ15 cm long, nocturnal and fragrant; pericarpel ca 12 mm long, 8 mm thick, green, bracteoles 1 mm long, orbicular, reddish, nude or with 1 bristle, less than 1 mm long; receptacle 5âÂÂ7 cm long, 5 mm thick, greenish white to reddish, bracteoles few, very small, ascending and appressed, without spines or hairs, red: outer petals linear, 4âÂÂ9 cm long, ca 5 mm wide, greenish or reddish, acute; inner petals white, linear-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate, 3âÂÂ6 cm long, white; stamens inserted in 2 zones, white, anthers creamy white; style slender, 4âÂÂ9 cm long, white. Fruit ovoid, 2,5 cm thick, brilliant cerice, 5-7 angled, bracteoles few, ascending, pulp white, sweet, seeds minute, black.