Family: Cactaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Rhipsalis baccifera, commonly known as mistletoe cactus, is a unique epiphytic cactus with a very wide natural range, occurring in tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and also parts of Africa and other Old World tropics. Unlike desert cacti, it grows in humid forests where it lives on tree branches rather than in soil, producing long, trailing, leafless green stems. Over time, it can form cascading mats and may produce small white flowers followed by translucent, berry-like fruits. It is most often grown as an ornamental plant, valued for its unusual form and adaptability to hanging baskets and shaded garden spaces.

Risks & Threats
This species is generally considered low risk because it is primarily an epiphyte that depends on host trees rather than aggressively spreading across the ground or outcompeting other vegetation. While its fruits can be dispersed by birds and it can establish in suitable humid environments, there is little evidence that it forms dense, invasive populations or causes significant ecological damage. In Hawaiʻi and similar climates, it is not currently known to be a problematic invader, though it could potentially naturalize in protected forest canopies under the right conditions. Overall, its behavior suggests minimal threat compared to more aggressive weedy plant species.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized outside native range
  
• Broad tropical climate suitability
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Climbing/smothering epiphytic growth habit
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Intentionally dispersed by people (ornamental)
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds
  
• Seeds survive gut passage

Low Risk Traits:

• Not weedy, or invasive elsewhere
  
• No spines, thorns, or burrs
  
• Not toxic to animals or humans (fruits edible)
  
• No major pests or pathogens
  
• No fire hazard (succulent)
  
• Narrow soil pH tolerance
  
• No vegetative spread
  
• No wind or water dispersal
  
• No persistent seed bank (seeds viable <1 year)