EPIPHYLLUM and PHYLLOCACTUS (fig. 4), the leaf cactus, com prises 17 species, found in Mexico and Central and tropical South America. They differ from all the forms already noticed in being epiphytal in habit, and in having the branches compressed and dilated so as to resemble thick fleshy leaves, with a strong median axis and woody base. The margins of these leaf-like branches are crenately notched, the notches representing buds, and from these crenatures the large showy flowers are produced. As garden plants these are amongst the most ornamental of the family, be ing of easy culture, free blooming and showy, the colour of the flowers ranging from rose-pink to creamy white. Relatives of Epiphyllum compose 8 other gen era.
