Disocactus

The species of the genus Disocactus grow as epiphytes or lithophytes and are shrubby, profusely branched, hanging, up to 3 m long. The shoots are ribbed or flattened, 3-angled or flattened, ribbon-like, 3–10 mm wide, remotely crenate and leaf-like. The main shoot, which rotates near the base, is only flattened at the top, while the side shoots are completely flattened. The thorns on the areoles are bare or with white wool and bristles 4–9 mm long. The large flowers open during the day, appearing singly or rarely in groups from an areole. They are of different shapes and sizes, 10–15 cm long. The flowers are funnel-shaped or tubular, sometimes zygomorphic and rarely wheel-shaped, receptacular tube curved, embraced by foliaceous scales or 1–few bristles 3–5 mm long. They are bright red, orange, slightly reddish pinkish-orange, light yellow in color, or white. The stamens are often in two rows, with the upper ones sometimes forming a clear throat circle. The sepaloid parts of perianth are 10–30 mm long and 3–7 mm wide, yellow-green; the petaloid parts are 6–8 cm long and 1.5–2 cm wide, orange, reddish at base. The stamens are asymmetrically grouped along the lower side of the throat of the perianth; the style is exserted, 9–13 cm long with 8–9 stigma lobes. Berry-like ellipsoid fruits are formed that are 7 cm long and 3 cm in diameter, almost bare or covered with a few small scales. They contain broad ovate seeds 1.5 to 2.4 millimeters long and 1 to 1.7 millimeters wide. The seeds are brown-black to almost black and are shiny or, more rarely, somewhat dull. ==Taxonomy==