Species Notes: Compare this species with Rhipsalis baccifera ssp. horrida. Without flowers or fruit, these two plants appear identical at first glance. However, the two can be distinguished quite easily by looking at the branching habits. R. pilocarpa branches (and flowers) from the apex (ends) of the stems while R. baccifera branches (and flowers) all along the length of the stem sporadically. If the plant has flowers or fruit, the distinction is even more apparent. R. pilocarpa has flowers of 1/2 inch in diameter and similar sized red fruit with hairy tufts. In contrast, R. baccifera has tiny white flowers no wider than the stems themselves. These develop into pea-sized smooth white fruits.
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