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Schlumbergera truncata
Also called Claw Cactus, Linkleaf, Yoke Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus, Crab Cactus
A native epiphytic cactus from the coastal mountains of south-eastern Brazil, and a parent of the popular Christmas or Thanksgiving cactus houseplants. It is grown for its flattened, leafless stems and bright flowers, and the key to success is bright indirect light with cool nights and a rest period before flowering.
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.
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.
Schlumbergera truncata occurs only in a small area of the coastal mountains of south-east Brazil, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, located in the southernmost part of the tropics. Sites where it has been found include the Organ Mountains (Serra dos Órgãos) in the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos and in the Serra do Mar near to the city of Rio de Janeiro. Plants grow at altitudes of 700–1,000 metres (2,300–3,300 ft). Because of their altitude and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the coastal mountains have high humidity – warm moist air is forced upwards into higher, colder locations where it condenses. S. truncata usually grows on trees (epiphytic), or on rocks (epilythic). The native status of S. truncata has become confused because European cultivars were deliberately introduced into some areas, including the Parque Nacional da Serra dos Órgãos, by the Brazilian Agricultural Department, to compensate for over-collecting of wild plants. These climates are effective for Schlumbergera truncata due to its moisture content preferences.
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Schlumbergera truncata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
