Climbing Cactus

(Epiphyllum phyllanthus)

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Description

Epiphyllum phyllanthus, commonly known as the climbing cactus, is a species of epiphytic cacti. It has no leaves, instead having stems that photosynthesise. It is thought to be pollinated by hawkmoths, as the flowers only open at night and produce a strong fragrance. It is the most common epiphyte on the tree, Platypodium elegans, particularly growing in cavities in the trunk.

Taxonomic tree:

Domain:
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order:Caryophyllales
Family:Cactaceae
Genus:Epiphyllum
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