EPIPHYLLUM (from epi, upon, and phyllon, a leaf, the flowers arise from the flat branches, which appear like leaves). ORD. Cacteae. A genus of three spices of very handsome, branched, slender, climbing stove sub-shrubs, all natives of Brazil. Flowers solitary, usually large and showy; tube of corolla furnished with remote unarmed scales, rising from the crenatures of the branches, among small spines; limb of corolla deeply multifid. Branches much compressed, two-edged, thin, but fleshy, lobately crenated, green, smooth. Epiphyllums are among the most highly coloured and beautiful of winter-flowering plants. They are not very fast-growing, and are, in consequence, most useful for decorating either large or small plant houses. Being of a dense trailing or dependent habit, they show best when grafted on a small tree-like stock. Although the species are few, the varieties are somewhat numerous, and are nearly all richly coloured and attractive. PROPAGATION. This may be effected by short cuttings, taken from the branches, inserted singly in small pots, and placed in heat. The branches being unable to support themselves in an upright position when growing, this plan of cultivation is not much practised, except for use in baskets or in other positions where they are intended to hang down. For growing in pots, the general system adopted for Epiphyllums is to graft them on stocks, that may be first grown from cuttings to almost any desired height. The plants used as stocks are Pereskia aculeata and P. Bleo. These strike readily in sandy soil, at any season, and should afterwards be potted and grown upright, until they reach the required height, which may vary from 1ft. to 5ft. Grafting is easily performed, as it consists in merely pulling out a short branch just as growth commences, in spring, afterwards opening the stock either on the top or at any part of the side that is sufficiently hard, inserting the back part of the branch, and then passing one of the sharp spines from the Pereskia stock right through, to hold all firmly. No other covering need be applied if the plants are in a moist, warm atmosphere. P. Bleo grows stronger, and is, on that account, suitable for tall specimens, while P. aculeata is more common and is generally used for dwarf or medium-sized standards. By grafting at short distances up the stem, pyramid plants may be obtained by a system of training, that have a fine effect when in flower. Large pyramids have also been grown from cuttings for exhibition purposes. CULTIVATION. Epiphyllums succeed in sandy loam, with the addition of a little leaf soil and mortar rubbish. Good drainage is necessary, and rather small pots, in proportion to the size of head, will be sufficient. After grafting, the plants should be grown on in heat until autumn, when they should be kept drier, and allowed to rest. Start them again in February, and grow in a light position, allowing plenty of air in the latter part of the summer, to thoroughly ripen the growths. The plants will have formed nice heads by this time, and may be introduced to warmer quarters, for flowering, a few at a time, so as to prolong the season. A temperature of 45deg. will be high enough in the autumn, and only sufficient water to prevent shrivelling should be applied. The flowers will open in a temperature of 60deg., and may then be removed to a cooler position. After flowering, any necessary repotting should be performed, and the same routine again followed. When established in tolerably large pots, it is often best not to disturb the roots, but apply a top-dressing of good soil instead. Epiphyllums increase in size for several years, if they can be kept in good health. They may be used with fine effect to cover the back wall of a stove. A trellis, far enough from the wall to allow of soil being placed for planting, might be fixed, and the soil inclosed and hidden by Selaginellas, or plants of similar habit. For this purpose, plants struck from cuttings are most suitable. The flowers are produced at the ends of the flattened branches. EPIPHYLLUM Gibsoni(Gibson's) fl. two to four, of a beautiful, dark orange-red, produced at the ends of the branches, having some straight hairs at their base. 1886. This plant closely resembles E. truncatum. EPIPHYLLUM Guedeneyi (Guedeney's). fl. large; outer petals white, slightly tinged with sulphur; the others pure creamy-white; stamens much shorter than the petals. Stems very broad, thin, with roundish, shallow notches. Probably of garden origin. EPIPHYLLUM Russellianum (Russell's). fl. delicate rose colour. May. This is a form from Brazil, with doubtful specific claims, but sufficiently distinct for horticultural purposes. (B. M. 3717.) There are two or more varieties, including rubrum, with much larger brigh rosy-red flowers; and superbum, with purple flowers, having a white throat. EPIPHYLLUM Russellianum Gaertneri (Gaertner's). fl. scarlet, 2 1/2in. to 3in. in diameter; petals lanceolate, acute, radiating. 1885. A showy, garden hybrid, of unknown parentage, with the habit of Epiphyllum and the flowers of Cereus. (R.G. 1172.) EPIPHYLLUM truncatum (truncate).* fl. red or rose-coloured, hardly 3in. long, oblique, rising from the truncate tops of the branches; stamens white; corolla reflexed, ringent; tube very short. Branchlets dichotomous, truncate at the apex. Joints of stem compressed. 1818. (B. H. 1866, 15.) SYN. Cactus truncatus (B. M. 696). There are several varieties of this fine plant, of which the following is a selection: bicolor, white, edged with rose; coccineum, rich deep scarlet; elegans, bright orange-red, centre rich purple; magnificum, flowers large, white, tips bright rose-coloured; roseum, bright rose; Ruckerianum, deep reddish-purple, with a rich violet centre; salmoneum, redish-salmon; spectabile, white, with purple margin; violaceum, flowers large, pure white, with delicate purple margin; violaceum superbum, pure white, rich deep purple edge.