Epiphyllum phyllanthus: A Widespread Epiphytic Cactus

Epiphyllum phyllanthus (Cactaceae) is a widespread epiphyte that lives high in the canopy of the Barro Colorado Island forest, most frequently on deciduous species such as Ceiba pentandra, Platypodium elegans, and Handroanthus guayacan. It has several traits that allow it to withstand drought in the forest canopy, including succulence, high relative tissue capacitance, and crassulacean acid metabolism. Special root features allow it to rapidly recover tissue water content and thereby take advantage of sporadic rains during the dry season. E. phyllanthus is also shade tolerant because photosynthesis and growth are maximal in partial shade.