About Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S.Muell.) Stearn
Rhipsalis baccifera (J.S.Muell.) Stearn, commonly called the mistletoe cactus, is an epiphytic cactus native to Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida. It also grows across the tropical regions of Africa and extends into Sri Lanka, where it is called nawahandi (නවහන්දි) in the Sinhala language. It is the only cactus species that occurs naturally outside of the Americas. Two hypotheses exist to explain its presence in the Old World. The first proposes it was brought to the Old World by migratory birds, long enough in the past for Old World populations to be classified as separate distinct subspecies. The second alternative hypothesis suggests the species first crossed the Atlantic Ocean on European trading ships traveling between South America and Africa, after which birds may have spread it to more areas.
