Schlumbergera truncata, the false Christmas cactus, is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to a small area of the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil where its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist forests. It is the parent or one of the parents of the houseplants called Christmas cactus, Thanksgiving cactus or zygocactus, among other names.
Description
Schlumbergera truncata resembles other species of the genus Schlumbergera in that it has leafless green stems which act as photosynthetic organs. The stems (cladodes) are composed of strongly flattened segments, which have two or three "teeth" of varying shapes along their edges and at the ends. The ends of the stems are "cut off" (truncated) rather than pointed. Individual segments are about long by wide at full maturity. Variation in size frequently depends on age of segment and access to sunlight and water.
A characteristic of the genus Schlumbergera is that the many stamens are arranged in two series: the inner stamens form a ring around the style; the outer stamens arise from the floral tube. The filaments of the stamens are white, the anthers and pollen being yellow. The style has six to eight lobes at its end and is dark red.
When ripe, the fruit is red, pear-shaped, and about long or exceptionally up to long. The shiny seeds are black, each with a diameter of about . These climates are effective for Schlumbergera truncata due to its moisture content preferences. Humidity and moisture have significant affects on viability of pollen, thus shaping climate distribution for outdoor growth.
Cultivation
Schlumbergera truncata is mainly grown as cultivars of the species or of its hybrids with other species of the genus, particularly S. russelliana. These plants and their cultivation are discussed at Schlumbergera: Cultivation. There are cultivation differences between Schlumbergera truncata and other Schlumbergera species largely because Schlumbergera truncata are the variety that grow outdoors rather than the houseplants which are grown and sold commercially. Some Schlumbergera truncata plants have self fertilizing abilities whereas the majority of Schlumbergera species are self-incompatible.