Originally Lepismium marnierianum (at least in the U.S.), this was reduced to a synonym under R. dissimilis f. dissimilis by Barthlott and Taylor Bradleya 13. This is a pencil type with ribs. If grown properly, the ribs seem to alternate the way R. paradoxa segments do but not nearly as prominently. As with other Lepismiums, the buds grow sunken in the stems. These buds are dark red when tight but the flower turns out to be a glossy off-cream or off-yellow sometimes with hints of off-red or off-pink.

L. marnierianum Backeberg. Descr. Cact. Nov. III: 7.1963.

• Body laxly branching, erect at first, later ± arching; shoots dimorphic, in juvenile plants c. 5-6 mm Æ, with 5 low slender angles, areoles crowded, with several erect to appressed white bristles to 1 cm long later shoots c. 1-2 cm Æ, subterete at first, then 3-4-angled, these angles sometimes slightly offset and somewhat prominent towards the areole; Young shoots more bluish-green, older ones more dirty olive-green;
• Areoles on young shoots short and weakly felty, with small red scales, those on older shoots stout, with dense projecting tufts of wool to over 1 cm long., at most with solitary bristle;
• Flower concolorous white, l- l.75 cm AE, often paired or in threes, with the ovary sunken;
• Petals crowded, obtuse, c. 5 mm broad;
• Fruit carmine-pink, subspherical, with dried floral remains;
• Seeds 1 mm long., glossy, black, boat-shaped.
• Origin?

A very characteristic species of which the origin remains unknown. It has been shown by experiments with seed-sowing at the Botanical Garden "Les Cedres" that the plants come true from seed.