Scientific Name
Schlumbergera truncata (Haw.) Moran
Common Name(s)
Claw Cactus, Crab Cactus, False Christmas Cactus, Holiday Cactus, Linkleaf, Thanksgiving Cactus, Yoke Cactus
Synonym(s)
Cactus truncatus, Cereus truncatus, Epiphyllum truncatum, Zygocactus truncatus
Schlumbergera bridgesii has been treated as a synonym of Schlumbergera truncata, but David Hunt regarded it as a synonym of the hybrid Schlumbergera × buckleyi.
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Rhipsalideae
Genus: Schlumbergera
Etymology
The specific epithet "truncata" (pronounced "trunk-AH-tuh") means "maimed, mutilated" and refers to the notches on the margins of the stems of this species.
Origin
Schlumbergera truncata is native to southeastern Brazil. It occurs only in a small area of the coastal mountains in the state of Rio de Janeiro, at altitudes between 2,300 and 3,300 feet (700 and 1,000 m), typically growing on trees (as an epiphyte) or rocks (as a lithophyte).
Description
Schlumbergera truncata is a popular, much-branched cactus with dark green stems composed of smooth, flattened segments with three or four soft points on the margins. The stems (cladophylls) resemble crab claws, hence the common name "Crab Cactus." The stem segments (phylloclades) can grow up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long and up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) wide. The areoles with few bristles are located at the notches on the margins and the end of the segments from which flower buds appear.
The attractive flowers are tubular and can reach a length of 3.2 inches (8 cm) and a diameter of 2.4 inches (6 cm). They appear at the stem ends and joints in fall and winter, usually around Thanksgiving, hence the common name "Thanksgiving Cactus." The "petals" are actually tepals, and they are in various colors, including shades of red, purple, pink, orange, and white. The fruits are red when ripe, pear-shaped, and contain shiny black seeds. They can grow to about 1.2 cm (0.5 in) in length.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
How to Grow and Care
These plants are easy to grow and are often passed down through the generations. With Holiday Cactus, the million-dollar question isn't how to grow it but how to make it bloom. With a little extra attention during the fall months, you can have your plants blooming for the holidays. Don't expose these plants to freezing temperatures! Despite their love of cooler temperatures, they are still tropical plants that won't withstand freezing conditions. They prefer a humidity level of about 50% to 60%, which can be achieved using a pebble tray. Never place your Holiday Cactus near a heat register, exterior door, or drafty window, and keep it out of burning sunlight.
Don't fall into the trap of constantly repotting into a bigger pot. Holiday Cacti like to be root-bound, and repotting every 2 to 3 years (even back into the same pot) is sufficient. If you repot, use sterile, well-draining potting soil.
Holiday Cacti can be easily propagated by cuttings. First, pinch off a stem section with 2 to 3 jointed segments. Let the cuttings dry for a few hours, then plant them in a small pot using the same planting mix as the adult plant.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Holiday Cactus.
Hybrids
Links
- Back to genus Schlumbergera
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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