Found in tropical areas of Argentina and Bolivia, Lepismium cruciforme is a branching, thin stemmed ephiphytic cacti. Its triangular or flat stems grow to 6 feet long and in spring and summer produce flowers on the upper segments. Flower color varies greatly between varieties. Flowers are followed by small red or orange spherical fruits. L. cruciforme, like other ephiphytic cacti grows in the debris that collects at the juctures of branches on tropical trees and coastal rocks formations. This debris is usually humus rich but dries fast. For this reason a fast draining humus rich mix is beneficial to provide nutrients for good growth but also prevent rot. Water plentifully but let the mix dry out somewhat between waterings. In winter keep them warm and somewhat drier. L. cruciforme is easy to raise from cuttings or seeds.
     This plant was sold to me as Acanthorhipsalis monacantha, but after some investigation I decide that not what it is at all. L. cruciforme is my best guess. I don't usually have much luck with jungle cacti, but this one made it through the hot summer and is still looking good overwintering in the greenhouse. In bright light the tips and ribs of the new growth turned an attractive reddish purple and the areoles are fuzzy. I hope to have flowers in spring.