[5] Dragonfruit stems are scandent (climbing habit), creeping, sprawling or clambering, and branch profusely.Spines on the adult branches are 1 to 4 mm (0.039 to 0.157 in) long, being acicular (needle-like) to almost conical, and grayish brown to black in colour and spreading, with a deep green epidermis.Their colour is greenish-yellow or whitish, rarely rose-tinged; These outer tepals, or sepals are about 65 in number, and bring the flower to a total width of up to fourteen inches (35 centimeters).Stamens 5 to 10 cm (2.0 to 3.9 in) long, are declinate, inserted in one continuous zone from throat to 35 mm (1.4 in) above the pericarpel and cream.They climb by use of aerial roots and can reach a height of 10 meters (32.8 feet) or more growing on rocks and trees.