Greek dis — twice referring to the two-whorled perianth of the type species.
Body in nature either epiphytic or growing on rocks; in horticulture ideal for hanging baskets. Stems either all flattened, or main stems cylindrical and ribbed, lateral ones flattened; margins scalloped or toothed. Areoles small, spineless. Flowers diurnal, variable but with narrow tube bearing a few small scales, mostly red, pink, orange, yellow or white; stamens in 2 groups, one forming a ring at the throat of the flower; spring. Fruit with few if any small scales.
The most widely grown species is D. macrantha (Alexander) Kimnach & Hutchison which has pale yellow flowers about 3 cm wide and notched flattened stems to about 4-5 cm wide. [Pseudorhipsalis macrantha Alexander] T
This genus is likely to incorporate Aporocactus Lem., Rat-tail Cactus. R
Stems both flattened and cylindrical, the edges usually with scalloped margins; flowers less than 2 cm long.
About 10 species from C America, W Indies and tropical S America.
Source: (1997). Cactaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
