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Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S. Mill.) Stearn
Mistletoe cactus

Rhipsalis baccifera
Copyright by: George D. Gann
in habitat, Dominican Republic, 2011

Family: Cactaceae

Group: Dicot

Substrate: Epiphyte

Habit: Herb

Perennation: Perennial

Native Range: The typical variety is native to South Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America; other subspecies are found in the New and Old World tropics.

Map of select IRC data for peninsular Florida

NatureServe Global Status: Apparently Secure

State of Florida Status: Endangered

Florida Natural Areas Inventory State Status: Critically Imperiled

IRC SOUTH FLORIDA Status: Possibly Extirpated or Extinct in the Wild

SOUTH FLORIDA Occurrence: Present

SOUTH FLORIDA Native Status: Native

South Florida History and Distribution: Ranked as critically imperiled in Rare Plants of South Florida (Gann et al. 2002; pp 125-127) based on an occurrence in Everglades National Park that had been last vouchered in 1991; that population was likely destroyed by Hurricane Andrew in 1992. There was also a historical record from the interior of Miami-Dade County that was vouchered in 1923. It is widely cultivated in South Florida, but there are no long-term substantiated reports of it naturalizing anywhere within the region. Its distribution in South Florida may be constrained by limited precipitation and, historically, occasional freezing temperatures.

SOUTH FLORIDA Cultivated Status: Cultivated

Comments: See also, IRC’s report Vascular plant species of management concern in Everglades National Park (Gann 2015), page 130 and Florida Natural Areas Inventory's Field Guide to the Rare Plants of Florida page (Chafin 2000).

Other data on Rhipsalis baccifera available from :

Rhipsalis baccifera has been found in the following 2 conservation areas :
Occurrence Native Status
Everglades National Park Possibly Extirpated Possibly Extirpated
Kendall Indian Hammocks Park Present Native, Cultivated Only

Rhipsalis baccifera has been found in the following 2 counties :
Occurrence Native Status
Miami-Dade County Possibly Extirpated Possibly Extirpated
Monroe County (Mainland) Possibly Extirpated Possibly Extirpated

Rhipsalis baccifera has been found in the following 2 habitats :
Coastal Berm
Mangrove swamp

All Images:

Rhipsalis baccifera
Copyright by: George D. Gann
in habitat, Dominican Republic, 2011
Rhipsalis baccifera
Copyright by: Roger L. Hammer