Schlumbergera
Schlumbergera is a genus of cacti. The genus includes six species, originally found in south-eastern Brazil. These cacti, along with a number of cultivars are common houseplants. They are also known as Christmas Cactus or Thanksgiving Cactus. This name refers to the time of the year when the cacti flourish, in Europe. In the wild, the cacti grow on trees as epiphytes or rocks, and can form shrubss up to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) high. The cacti do not have leaves, the green stem segments do photosynthesis. Charles Lemaire first described them in 1858. It is named after Frédéric Schlumberger a cactus collector and plant breeder.
Schlumbergera Media
Zygomorphic flower, probably of a cultivar in the S. Truncata Group, cut in half to show its internal structure
Drawing of S. russelliana, the type species, from the Botanical Magazine, 1839
The distribution of most Schlumbergera species is discontinuous within the red area.
S. Truncata Group 'Gold Charm'; note the very pointed teeth at the end of the segments, zygomorphic flowers held above the horizontal, and yellow pollen.
Member of the S. Buckleyi Group, viewed from below; rounded rather than pointed edges of the segments, pendant more or less regular flowers and pink pollen.
Young plant of a member of the S. Truncata Group; still upright and therefore more convenient for selling
Schlumbergera new growth. The upper view shows bright red new cladodes forming, the centre shows maturing growth, the lower view shows two aerial roots extending down
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