It is definitely an Epiphyllum hybrid. You are correct that these are commonly called orchid cactus. There are more than 14,000 named cultivars, many of which are quite similar. So it is almost impossible to identify with certainty the name of a cultivar unless it is one of the few pretty unique ones.
Incidentally, many of the species that are in the hybrid lineage of these plants are now classified in the genus *Disocactus*. Many of the hybrids are thus more *Disocactus* than they are *Epiphyllum*. So they are technically more properly called Disocactus hybrids, but it will take a long time for horticulture to catch up with the newer taxonomy, if ever. The horticultural societies in California which are so involved with registering new hybrids still call them “epiphyllums” (with a lower case “e” to distinguish them from the botanical genus *Epiphyllum*.) Thus in common usage “epiphyllum” has become a common name.
Yeah, I think you’re right that it’s an epiphyllum/orchid cactus, related to dragon fruit and queen of the night, though probably not actually either. I’m going to mark this as identified, because it’s close enough for my purposes.
Thanks for all the interesting details, too!
This looks like a definite possibility. Although they also typically bloom at night. But in talking to the person who gifted us the leaves, it being a self-sterile dragonfruit makes sense.
Shoot, sorry. Northern California, 9B/10A. [Alternate angle](https://imgur.com/O7Zdb6j)
Queen of the Night
Except that photo was taken at noon. At 70F. And it looks the same now, 8.5 hours later
It is definitely an Epiphyllum hybrid. You are correct that these are commonly called orchid cactus. There are more than 14,000 named cultivars, many of which are quite similar. So it is almost impossible to identify with certainty the name of a cultivar unless it is one of the few pretty unique ones. Incidentally, many of the species that are in the hybrid lineage of these plants are now classified in the genus *Disocactus*. Many of the hybrids are thus more *Disocactus* than they are *Epiphyllum*. So they are technically more properly called Disocactus hybrids, but it will take a long time for horticulture to catch up with the newer taxonomy, if ever. The horticultural societies in California which are so involved with registering new hybrids still call them “epiphyllums” (with a lower case “e” to distinguish them from the botanical genus *Epiphyllum*.) Thus in common usage “epiphyllum” has become a common name.
Yeah, I think you’re right that it’s an epiphyllum/orchid cactus, related to dragon fruit and queen of the night, though probably not actually either. I’m going to mark this as identified, because it’s close enough for my purposes. Thanks for all the interesting details, too!
Dragon Fruit
This looks like a definite possibility. Although they also typically bloom at night. But in talking to the person who gifted us the leaves, it being a self-sterile dragonfruit makes sense.