Greek lepisma—scale, referring to the scale-like leaves found on some species.
In nature epiphytic or growing on rocks and in horticulture generally suited to hanging baskets. Stems usually segmented but variously cylindrical to ribbed, flattened or angled, branching from the sides of old segments. Spines sometimes present. Leaves often present, small and scale-like. Flowers relatively small. Pericarpel either with tubercles and spines or angled (with or without spines). Flower tube mostly short or absent. Fruit fleshy, sometimes with spines, red to black.
The genus is now taken to include Acanthorhipsalis, Pfeiffera and some species formerly placed in Rhipsalis. It is one of a presumed natural group of 4 epiphytic genera including Hatiora, Schlumbergera and Rhipsalis.
The branching in Lepismium is alternate with new branches from the sides of the older main axis; in related genera there is a more or less equal division at branching points. Stems having flattened margins with irregular teeth; segments mostly single from the side of old stems (in contrast to Rhipsalis which branches from the tips of segments).
14 species from Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil.
Barthlott (1987).
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.
