(Photograph = R. juengeri with greenish fruit)
Introduction
A new species of Rhipsalis (R. juengeri) cactus was described. It forms more than 3-m long curtains, hanging from the canopy of the Atlantic Rainforest in eastern Brazil. Greenish berries are formed at the tips of the branches. Unlike other Rhipsalis plants, the berries are strongly scented with a black-currant aroma.
The Details
Because they are a dull color (not red or white), the authors propose that the berry-like odor helps attract animals other than birds because it might be expected that birds would be attracted to colorful fruits. Furthermore, the authors propose that the target animal (the animal that eats the fruit) is a bat. Bats are known to have good olfactory powers unlike birds.
This hypothesis is as yet unproven, but it would be remarkable if bats distributed cactus seeds. But, why not? Why can’t the plant feed the bats who, in return, help the plant by distributing seeds?
Additional Reading: A Cactus with Scented and Possibly Bat-Dispersed Fruits
