Brazil flat

Lepismium is a small genus of a dozen species from tropical South America. They need a light, well-drained soil. They like shade and some humidity, but in general, will take temperature close to freezing for short periods. They are propagated by cuttings or seed and do great in pots, rockeries and hanging baskets. Lepismium species are either Epiphytic or Lithophytic -meaning tree-dwellers or rock dwellers. They typically grow as hanging masses of many-branched stems that branch off from the middle of the stems.             The stems vary from flat, to angled, to rounded in cross-section. Flowers arise along the sides of the stems and often line the entire length of the stem on both sides. The flowers themselves are relatively small, though generally larger than those in the similar genus Rhipsalis. Several Lepismium species feature colored flowers and other have white flowers, either of these turning into bright colored fruits later on. These species largely occur in Bolivia, but are also found in adjacent Brazil and Argentina. Some species are quite common in cultivation while others are virtually unknown to growers. Like other epi-cacti, this species requires wetter, more tropical conditions than their desert counterparts. Lepismium ianthothele is a relatively rare cactus with erect to drooping branches that grow from 30cm to 60cm long. They start off erect and as they age they start drooping under their own weight. Synonyms include Cereus ianthothele, Pfeiffera ianthothele, Rhipsalis ianothothele, Rhipsalis cereiformis, Pfeiffera erecta, Lepismium erectum, Pfeiffera mataralensis, Lepismium mataralense, Pfeiffera multigona and Pfeiffera gracilis.