Ayurvedic Plants of Sri Lanka -
Scientific name - Rhipsalis baccifera
Family name - CACTACEAE
Identify this plant closely in the video below
commonly known as the mistletoe cactus, is an epiphytic cactus which originates from Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Florida.
It is also found throughout the tropics of Africa and into Sri Lanka where it is known in Sinhala as nawahandi .
This is the only cactus species naturally occurring outside the New World.
One hypothesis is that it was introduced to the Old World by migratory birds, long enough ago for the Old World populations to be regarded as distinct subspecies.
An alternative hypothesis holds that the species initially crossed the Atlantic Ocean on European ships trading between South America and Africa, after which birds may have spread it more widely.
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