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Mistletoe Cactus
葉子, CC0, via iNaturalist

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Mistletoe Cactus

Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S.Muell.) Stearn

LC Least Concern

Names

EnglishMistletoe Cactus
DutchMaretakcactus
SpanishCola de caballo
Chinese丝苇
Scientific nameRhipsalis baccifera (J.S.Muell.) Stearn

About this species

Rhipsalis baccifera, commonly known as the mistletoe cactus, is an epiphytic cactus which originates in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida. It is also found throughout the tropics of Africa and into Sri Lanka. This is the only cactus species naturally occurring outside the Americas. One hypothesis is that it was introduced to the Old World by migratory birds, long enough ago for the Old World populations to be regarded as distinct subspecies. An alternative hypothesis holds that the species initially crossed the Atlantic Ocean on European ships trading between South America and Africa, after which birds may have spread it more widely.

Read more on Wikipedia · Text: Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Classification

KingdomPlantae
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusRhipsalis

In Suriname

65Records in Suriname
15iNaturalist observations
1824First record
2026Latest record

Where it has been recorded

  • Sipaliwini14
  • Paramaribo6
  • Brokopondo2
  • Commewijne1

Districts with at least one record that has coordinates. Shaded districts have records.

Records by month

All years combined.

Sources & credits

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