The Origin of the Name "Lingjian Hehua" (Epiphyllum)
Alternative Names of the Epiphyllum
Epiphyllum, also known as He Lingjian, Red Peacock, Hehua Lingjian, Peacock Cactus, etc., is a perennial evergreen epiphytic plant of the genus Epiphyllum in the cactus family. Because its stem is flat and lanceolate, shaped like a lingjian (arrow-shaped token), and its flowers resemble water lilies, it is named Lingjian Hehua.
Morphological Characteristics of the Epiphyllum
The Epiphyllum is an epiphytic cactus plant, with erect stems, many branches, growing in shrub-like clusters, about50～100cm tall. The main trunk at the base of the plant is thin and round, and the branches are flat and lingjian-shaped, green. The edges of the stems are obtusely toothed. The recessed parts of the teeth have areoles, with0.3～0.5cm-long fine spines. The midrib of the flat stem protrudes distinctly. The flowers open from the areoles on both sides of the stem nodes, with a slender floral tube, large trumpet-shaped flowers, blooming during the day,1flowers only bloom for1～2days, and the flower colors include purple-red, bright red, pink, carmine, yellow, white, blue-purple, etc. It blooms during the day in summer, and the flowering period is5~7months. The fruit is an elliptical red berry, with black seeds. There are two species in this genus; the other is the small-flowered Epiphyllum, which has small flowers, blooms densely, and is bright red.
Growing Habits of the Epiphyllum
The Epiphyllum prefers a warm and humid environment, avoids direct sunlight, is drought-tolerant, tolerates partial shade, and is afraid of rain. It requires fertile, loose, well-drained neutral or slightly acidic sandy loam soil. The optimum temperature during the growing period is20-25°C, the optimum temperature for flower bud differentiation is between10-15°C, the winter temperature must not be lower than5°C, and the flowering period is4months.
The Flower Language and Legend of the Epiphyllum
The flower language of the Epiphyllum is reminiscence. With its delicate and graceful beauty, its dazzling and brilliant colors, as well as its tenacious vitality and fascinating fragrance, the Epiphyllum is very popular and loved by people. Especially in midsummer, when the Peacock Cactus blooms brilliantly, it is an excellent decoration for windows, entrance halls and balconies at home.
According to legend, long, long ago in tribal life, two Dai tribes lived in Xishuangbanna, and because of disputes over territory and power they fought in chaos year after year. People from both tribes suffered many casualties, and at this time a son and a daughter of the two tribal chiefs were deeply in love with each other.
The chaos continued. One day, the chief of one tribe told his son to take the chief's lingjian to gather their people, preparing to launch a general attack by ambushing the other side the next morning. The headman's son opposed this war, so he took the lingjian to see the daughter of the other tribal chief, that is, his lover. The two agreed to meet in the dense forest to discuss how to quell the war. However, they thought until dawn and still could not find a good method. In utter helplessness, they could only hold the lotus flowers that symbolized beautiful peace in their hands, embrace each other, and both cut their own throats. After the chiefs of both sides learned of this, they deeply regretted their wrong and unwise actions. So they burned incense together and swore an oath, and the two sides reconciled as before.
Not long after, on the grave where the young couple was buried together, clusters after clusters of green plants very much like lingjian grew, and on them bloomed beautiful flowers like lotus flowers. These are the Peacock Cactus, the Epiphyllum, that people see today.
Uses and Value of the Epiphyllum
1Ornamental value. The Epiphyllum has many flower colors and varieties, and with its delicate and graceful posture, brilliant colors and rich fragrance, it is deeply loved by people. It is mainly grown in pots for ornamental purposes, and in greenhouses a mix of varieties is often used to enhance the ornamental effect. Used to decorate the windows and balconies of living rooms and studies, and doorways, it is an excellent indoor potted flower with excellent color, posture and fragrance.
2Medicinal value. The stem of the Epiphyllum can be used as medicine, and has the effect of promoting blood circulation and relieving pain.