For some time I've had this unusual Epiphyllum reproductive part growing from one of my large plants. I can see a new plant beginning at the end. The growth is now close to 8 feet long. Does anyone know what it is called? I would assume in the rain forest its use is to extend the plant to a new branch on the tree.
I'd venture to guess that it's a runner. My epis send them out occasionally when they're feeling really secure, and want to populate more of the tree (as you suggested). Unless you're looking for a species name, at which point I can't help you.
I'm looking for the scientific name for the actual part. An example: The "leaves" are known as cladodes to a botanist. Those are truly flattened stems capable of retaining and storing water as well collecting light. I'm using this on my webpage on this species so would like to be able to refer to the botanical term for the plant's part! If you can locate it, Thanks! I want to use it as a part of this discussion: http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Epiphyllum phyllanthus subsp. phyllanthus pc.html
Thanks Eric. I'll check the botanical sources and see if I can confirm this. I know you are correct when it comes to bromeliads.
I can't confirm that on any botanical site dealing with Epiphyllum species. And the term does not appear to show up on any of the better websites such as Joe Daugherty's site as far as I can tell. But I'm still searching. If anyone can locate a reference using Epiphyllum stolon please post the link!
Another Epiphyllum grower just sent a private note and called it a "runner". I can't seem to confirm that as a botanical name. Does anyone know? That just does not sound like a term you would find in a botanical journal. He said "My oxypetalum does that fairly often. Never seen the phyllanthus do it, but it doesn't surprise me. This is how canopy plants move around when they want to spread to another part of the tree. Usually they'll grow a long thin appendage that moves upward or laterally until it finds a nice spot that gives the right growing conditions, then it starts to leaf out and establish a new plant."
I'd say that Eric is most probably correct in calling it a Stolon.... I'm not sure if you'll be able to confirm it in Epiphyllum studies or sites, though. It doesn't seem to have been a well-studied behaviour in epiphytic cacti..... Although I'll confirm that my pitahaya (Hylocerus megalanthus) does send them out occasionally as well, so it doesn't seem to be something unique to the Epiphyllum genus of epiphytic cacti.
Thanks Beth. I'm sure it isn't uncommon, I've just never seen it until now. Since we installed the overhead misting system and increased the water in the atrium all the plants are beginning to do things I've not observed. Far more orchid blooms and more spathes on aroids as well. They love the mist, extra water and humidity. And the humidity was already over 85%. Now it stays above 90% all the time! By the way, today I have people here hanging my "logs". The photos show what I'm now doing to the atrium. We've had these logs built for some time and there are epiphytes naturally attached to them already as a result. They have just been down near the ground. Later today they will be suspended like the ones in the photo of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami. The "logs" in these photos are nothing more than 4" PVC covered with cork bark! It makes a fablulous display where you can actually grow epiphytic plants in an atrium. I'm going to attach a big chuck of my Epiphyllum once they are hung! I'm adding a bunch of vanda and oncicium orchids as well!
