Thanksgiving cactus
Quick Summary
The Thanksgiving cactus, scientifically known as Schlumbergera truncata, is a spineless cactus native to the rainforests of Brazil. It grows as an epiphyte, primarily on trees and shrubs. This plant is characterized by its flattened, photosynthetic stem segments called cladodes.1
The Thanksgiving cactus is often confused with the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera ×buckleyi), which is a hybrid of S. truncata and S. russelliana. While both bloom around the winter holidays, the Thanksgiving cactus typically flowers in late fall, about a month before the Christmas cactus. A key difference is the stem margins: the Thanksgiving cactus has sharply saw-toothed edges, while the Christmas cactus has rounded indentations. Some Schlumbergera species are considered endangered.123
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