Much vagueness has developed over time about this variety. Derek Butcher has listed some facts (see rhipsalis.com).
This shows that this variety would have been found both in South America and on Madagacar. If these finds belong to the same taxon, this could mean two things:
- The variety developed in both Madagascar and South America. The finds from both continents are not identical in this case.
- The variety developed in South America and thus, like R. baccifera, spread independently to Africa.
The second possibility cannot be ruled out, but is very unlikely.
Thus, in case of the first possibility, we are dealing with two taxa. R. baccifera fasciculata then developed on Madagascar independently from R. baccifera or R. baccifera horrida. It would then be a separate variety from R. baccifera horrida. Or it could be considered synonymous with it, but then the name fasciculata would have priority over horrida. The reported specimens from America could then be considered as being too vaguely defined, unless a clear description or characterisation of it can be found.