Disocactus biformis

Description

Disocactus biformis is a species of the genus Disocactus in the cactus family(Cactaceae). Thespecific epithet biformis means 'two-shaped, two-pieced'. Disocactus biformis forms a cylindrically shaped trunk of 20 to 50 centimeters in length. The individual shoots are richly branched leaf-like flat and up to 20 inches long and only 1 to 2 inches wide with a slightly tamed edge. The areoles are uncorned and small. The reddish to magenta-colored flowers are 5 to 6 inches long. They appear laterally from the uppermost areoles and are slightly bent and funneled upwards. The fruits are reddish purple, ovate to pear-shaped and 1.5 centimeters in length. Disocactus biformis is found in Guatemala in the administrative districts of Quetzaltenango , Sacatepéquez , Sololá and El Salvador in the province of Santa Ana and occurs at altitudes between 1200 and 1840 meters. The first description was made in 1845 by John Lindley . Synonyms are the following species: Cereus biformis Lindl. (1843), Disisocactus biformis (Lindl.) Kunze (1845) (incorrect name, ICBN - Art. 11.4), Epiphyllum biforme (Lindl.) G.Don (1855) and Phyllocactus biformis (Lindl.) Hooker (1875). In the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species the species is referred to as " Endangered (EN) ", i. H. as being at risk.