Paul Shirley Succulents

This is a very popular and easily recognisable species of Rhipsalis. The leaves look similar to a small Epiphyllium; there are distinctive spines on the edge of the leaves. In the spring it produces large – that is: large for a Rhipsalis – orange flowers. After flowering it produces pale pink berries. Synonyms: Rhipsalis monacantha, Lepismium monocanthum. As with all Rhipsalis, it is epiphytic, so keep it out of the full sun.

Acanthorhipsalis monacantha

Acanthorhipsalis monacantha berries

This is a large-leaved hanging species which must reach a reasonable size before producing the yellow flowers in the spring.

I have two distinct variations in my collection: GPS 8816 and 8875.
The GPS 8816 was collected on the Lake Poso side of the Tineba mountains in Sulawesi. The GPS 8875 was collected on the other, slighty drier, side of the Tineba mountains on the road to the Bada valley.
Although the plants are very similar, I have found that the GPS 8875 is easier to grow; it grows quicker and roots easier in propagation.
The 8816 was named and described by R. van Donkelaar and D. Kleijn in Blumea, volume 46/3 (2001); the 8875 was named by David Liddle.

Hoya minahassae GPS 8875

Hoya minahassae GPS 8816