Synonymy
Epiphyllum pumilum (Vaupel) Britton & Rose (1913) Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 16:256
Epiphyllum caudatum Britton & Rose (1913) Contr.
U. S. Nat. Herb. 16:256
Phyllocactus pumilus (Britton & Rose) Vaupel (1919) Monatsschr. Kakteenk. 23:116
Phyllocactus caudatum (Britton & Rose) Vaupel (1913) Monatsschr. Kakteenk. 23:116

Ethymology
This specific epithet refers to the relatively small flowers of this species.

History
F. Eichlam found this cacti in Guatemala and sent a living specimen to the U. S. which flowered in Washington on October 3, 1912. It had previously been collected at several occations but passed as E. pittieri.

Unaware of its variable nature, Britton and Rose described the same species again in the same paper, under the name E. caudatum. This time from a specimen collected in Oaxaca, Mexico collected by E. W. Nelson in 1894. Later the same year, Vaupel transfered the two taxa to Phyllocactus, an invalid name used in Europe by that time.

Origin and habitat
Mexico (Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Oaxaca, Chiapas) to the lowlands of Guatemala.

Systematics
This species is closely related to Epiphyllum oxypetalum and differs mainly in its smaller flowers. It show affinity with E. costaricense and E. anguliger.

Cultivation
Easily cultivated and fast growing. Needs a compost containing plenty of humus and plenty of moisture in summer. Will not tolerate low winter temperatures, around 12ºC (53,5ºF) will be more suitable. Best grown in semi-shade. Usually flowers in summer or in the early autumn.

Hybrids
There are no registred hybrids with this species but it has beautiful gowth and the flowers are very fragrant and could serve as a parent to add these features into the Orchid Cactus stock.

Description
Stems erect, later ascending becoming pendent, to 5 m long or more, woody at base, profusely branched, primary stems, terete for 80-150 cm, secodary stems and apical parts of primary stems flat (rarely 3-angled), elongated-lanceolate, terete at base,10-60 cm long, 3-8,5 cm wide, acute to long acuminate, rather thick when mature, margins remotely toothed to indented, shallowly undulate or shallowly crenate; epidermis green.
Flowers 10-15 cm long, nocturnal and fragrant; pericarpel ca 12 mm long, 8 mm thick, green, bracteoles 1 mm long, orbicular, reddish, nude or with 1 britsle, less than 1 mm long; receptacle 5-7 cm long, 5 mm thick, greenish white to reddish, bracteoles few, very small, ascending and appressed, without spines or hairs, red: outer tepals linear, 4-9 cm long, ca 5 mm wide, greenish or reddish, acute; inner tepals white, linar-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate, 3-6 cm long, white; stamens inserted in 2 zones, white, athers creamy white; style slender, 4-9 cm long, white.
Fruit ovoid, 2,5 cm thick, brilliant cerice, 5-7 angled, bracteoles few, ascending, pulp white, sweet, seeds minute, black.