Help needed to ID this plant

28 Mar '06 9:20 pm

Thanks alot for your kind and affirmative words, Liza.
With God's grace, empowerment and blessings, it's easy to stay happy and contented!

29 Mar '06 3:06 pm

Liza, thanks for your explanation on these balls. I'll try to google search to have a view of them and then try to source from our local nurseries, if available.

Just thinking 'off topic' that it'll be good if there's a google search box available on the main forum's page for convenience Smile

31 Mar '06 4:36 pm

Just to share that googling with the name 'zygocactus' led to its other commonly known names such as 'Christmas cactus' (named so for its blooming season, especially during Christmas - non-stop for 10 days as Liza shared) and Crab's claw cactus (resemblance in its leaves).

Wink

so hubby and I weren't exactly wrong when we first named it as crab's claw, though googling without the last word ('cactus') led to yummy restaurants and eateries and months of frustration until I joined this community!

Thanks again Dixie and Liza for your assistance.

11 Apr '06 12:44 am

Actually, the real name (I mean the scientific name that is universally accepted throughout the world) is Schlumbergera truncata (Haw.) Moran.
Yours is probably one of the many varieties available, but originally they are epiphytic cactus native from southwestern Brazil.

11 Apr '06 1:08 am

Alessandra! Thank you!

After I read your post , I ran to my huge book, where I veryfied in detail your information! I discovered a photo of my own brilliant red Zygocactus, which is described by the book: "Schlumbergera truncata, syn. Zygocactus truncatus" . As for Jacqueline's is "Schlumbergera x buckleyi, syn. bridgesii, or Christmas Cactus"! So! Isn'it wonderful that, " As long as I live, I learn" ?? Thank you again, so much!

19 Apr '06 8:02 pm

Alevin: Thanks for updating our members here on its botanical name, which I'v omitted but have named it in my blog: http://peacockflower.blogspot.com/2006/03/zygocactus.html and given credit to this gardening forum for their help in identifying my lovely plant. Your post has taught me to be more informative in future so that others who are interested could also benefit from our sharing. I normally get very excited with the common names of plants Wink

because they're easier to remember (for oldies like me)with their realistic/sensible names (e.g crab's claw, spider plant, crown of thorns, peace lily) and amusing ones like mickey mouse plant, bishop's crown, dumb cane, etc.)

Liza: Thanks for your added info, but they're confusing me now. I was so sure that my plant's name was Schlumbergera truncata when I googled earlier and noted it in my blog. After reading your recent post, I googled again to convince myself why I had named it S. Truncata instead, remembering that it had something related to its stem difference. Finally today after many days of search, I found this source http://cactus.biology.dal.ca/paulS/christmas/christmas.html#thanksgiving that elaborates further. Liza, I still think that my zygocactus is S. Truncata (where its stem segments have little points along the sides - about 3 on each side, stems more erect and spreading and flowers as described). If you think otherwise, kindly enlighten me. I'd truly appreciate your views. Thanks in advance.

19 Apr '06 8:39 pm

Jaqueline!

The information I passed here comes from the page 686 of my huge book, called, "THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY -- NEW -- ENCYCLOPEDIA of PLANTS and FLOWERS". If you read again my message, it says, that my scarlet red Schlumbergera (: its photo, page 473) has also the scientific name, "Zygocactus truncatus". As for your plant (:red-violet blooms), its name in my book is -- according to my message, as well --" Schlumbergera x buckleyi, syn. S. bridgesii (:Christmas Cactus)". I hope now everything is more clear to you.

My Jaqueline, I haven't studied Horticulture --- what a pity! ---, but I only try to share the correct information on certain plants through my books. And, - please! - just have a look at the book list suggested in this very section by the Royal Hoticultural Society site. It is really worthed!

Cheers!

19 Apr '06 9:21 pm

Liza, thanks for your response! Please don't misinterpret my humble request, I'm not questioning your expertise, not at all. Just confused as I compare my plant's stems with sources that are available online. I had thought that my plant would be S. Truncata/Truncatus as it's similar to yours in its stem structure, though not the colour of their flowers. Would appreciate more guidance from you (how does your book differentiate the two types, please share). Thanks again

19 Apr '06 10:01 pm

My Jaqueline,

The book describes the plants generally (:All Schlumbergeras) introducing them, and then starts presenting the different coultivars/varieties one by one, sending you to the photos existing in the book .I just found exactly your plant on page 475, having the name Schlumbergera "Bristol Beauty"!! It is lovely!

And , how come being "expertise", without having studied the subject like dear Alessandra?? I'm just learning and sharing. That's all.

My love for now

20 Apr '06 8:39 am

Being always curious and stubborn about plant identities, I continued our research on Google /images. I wrote "Schlumbergera buckleyi". I was in front of different coloured blooming plants, all looking like ours. I chose the image of a design , though : cactus.biology.dal.ca. And I was lucky! Because there, the description was perfectly detailed , with scientific texts, designs, and photos. I realized that the secret is not in the colour but in two details: that the blooms either "look down", or they stay kind of errect -like ours, and that there are - like in ours , or there are not little points on the leaves! So! Our cacti are Truncati, "Schlumbergera Truncata", or "Thanksgiving Cactus". And even more, because " their flowers are asymmetrical (zygomorphic)", that's why they are also called Zygocactus Truncatus! It is just great, isn't it!

And then, what! Rereading your previous post, talking about "stem differences" , I realized you had also found exactly the same website address!!! And , thus, this post of mine is almost redundant...Oh, dear...But it feels good when searching...I think. And my Encyclopedia..bla,bla,bla, not so trustworthy???

Help needed to ID this plant

Re: Beautiful families

Re: Terracotta balls

Updating......

Schlumbergera/ Zygocactus

Schlumbergera truncata or Schlumbergera x buckleyi?

Schlumbergera/Zygocactus.

Re: Schlumbergera/Zygocactus

Schlumbergera/Zygocactus.

Our Schlumbergeras in Google "images".