Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S.Muell.) Stearn

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Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Bunga Views, Vumba

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Bunga Views, Vumba

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
At the edge of Leopard Rock Golf Course, Vumba

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Camp site, Chirinda Forest

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Camp site, Chirinda Forest

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Stefaan Dondeyne
Muhowa river, Chikukwa, lower Chimanimani Mts

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Stefaan Dondeyne
Muhowa river, Chikukwa, lower Chimanimani Mts

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau above junction of Mucandue and Muvumodzi Rivers, eastern Chimanimani Mts.

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Outward Bound School, Chimanimani

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Outward Bound School, Chimanimani

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mevumodzi River valley, Eastern Chimanimani Mts

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mevumodzi River valley, Eastern Chimanimani Mts

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mevumodzi River valley, Eastern Chimanimani Mts

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mevumodzi River valley, Eastern Chimanimani Mts

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Mark Hyde
Near Outward Bound, Chimanimani

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mussapa Gap, Chikukwa, Chimanimani Mts

Rhipsalis baccifera

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mt Gorongosa

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Hariota parasitica sensu Hiern
Rhipsalis cassytha Gaertn.
Common names: Mistletoe cactus (English)
Frequency: Frequent in appropriate habitats in the E Division
Status: Native
Description:
Much branched succulent epiphyte or occasional lithophyte. Leaves 0 but minute triangular scales are present with or without short stiff bristles. Flowers lateral, small, solitary, white or yellowish. Perianth segments 9-12; outer segments triangular; inner segments oblong. Style thick with 3-5 stigmas. Fruit a spherical berry, 5-8 mm in diameter, pellucid, whitish.
Notes: R. baccifera is the only species of Cactaceae, which is native in Africa. Several other members of this New World family are known as naturalized exotics.
Derivation of specific name: baccifera: bearing berries
Habitat: Growing on trees at the edges of evergreen and riverine forest or in moist Brachystegia woodland on cliff sites.
Altitude range: (metres) Up to 1550 m
Flowering time:Dec - Feb
Worldwide distribution: Throughout tropical Africa, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Florida, West Indies and parts of Central and South America
Zimbabwe distribution: E
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Thursday 17 March 2016
Literature:

Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 610. (Includes a picture).

Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 47. As Rhipsalis baccifera baccifera

Gonçalves, M.L. (1978). Cactaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 506 - 508. (Includes a picture).

Goodier, R. & Phipps, J.B. (1961). A revised checklist of the vascular plants of the Chimanimani Mountains Kirkia 1 Page 59. as Rhipsalis cassutha

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 31.

Siebert, S. & Mössmer, M. (Editors) (2002). SABONET Southern Mozambique Expedition 2001; Provisional Plant Checklist of the Maputo Elephant Reserve (MER) and Licuati Forest Reserve (LFR) SABONET News 7(1) Page 24.

Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 63.

Timberlake, J.R., Bayliss, J., Dowsett-Lemaire, F., Congdon, C., Branch, B., Collins, S., Curran, M., Dowsett, R,J., Fishpool, L., Francisco, J., Harris, Kopp, M. & de Sousa, C. (2012). Mt Mabu, Mozambique: Biodiversity and Conservation Report produced under the Darwin Initiative Award 15/036. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London Page 72.

Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 90.


Other sources of information about Rhipsalis baccifera:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Rhipsalis baccifera
Flora of Malawi: Rhipsalis baccifera
Flora of Mozambique: Rhipsalis baccifera

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Rhipsalis baccifera
African Plant Database: Rhipsalis baccifera
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Rhipsalis baccifera
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Rhipsalis baccifera
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Rhipsalis baccifera
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Rhipsalis baccifera
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Rhipsalis baccifera
JSTOR Plant Science: Rhipsalis baccifera
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Rhipsalis baccifera
Plants of the World Online: Rhipsalis baccifera
Tropicos: Rhipsalis baccifera
Wikipedia: Rhipsalis baccifera


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Rhipsalis baccifera.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=141210, retrieved 29 March 2024

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