The difference between Schlumbergera and Cactaceae

Differences in plant types

There is a big difference between the leaves of Christmas cactus and fairy finger. The leaves of Christmas cactus have obvious serrations, and the plant grows upright with sharper serrations. The serrations of fairy finger are obviously smoother and rounder, and the leaves grow radiating from the center to the surroundings and hang down. Let's take a look at their pictures below to distinguish them.

The difference between flowers

The receptacle of Christmas cactus is smooth and flat with few sharp edges, and its color is the same as the flower. The receptacle of the fairy finger has obvious prisms; judging from the flowers, the flower tube of the Christmas cactus is longer, with overlapping petals and a symmetrical flower shape, which are typical characteristics of its flowers. When the flowers are in full bloom, the petals are slightly upturned and the tepals are opened and curled. The flower tube of the fairy finger is short, with two layers of neat petals and a drooping flower shape. The tepals do not recurve during bloom.

The difference between fruits

The berries of Christmas cactus are pear-shaped or oval, smooth and round without edges, and are red or rose-red when ripe. The edges of the berries of the fairy finger are angular, and the surface of the fruit turns yellow when ripe.

The difference between seeds

The seeds of both are black and only about a quarter the size of a sesame seed. However, the thinner end of the Christmas cactus seeds is obviously protruding, while the seeds of the fairy finger are flat and smooth, without any obvious bulge.