The Night Blooming Cereus, a member of the cactus family, Cactaceae, is commonly referred to as Queen of the Night, Lady of the Night, Orchid Cactus, and Jungle Cactus. Its botanical name is Selenicereus grandiflorus, but it is associated with Epiphyllum oxypetalum, which is also identified as Dutchmen’s Pipe Cactus. Both S. grandiflorus and E. oxypetalum are tropical cacti that need humid conditions to bloom. The fragrant flowers bloom for one night and close in the morning.
About Cacti
Plants in the Cactaceae family have firm skin, fleshy stems that allow the plant to store water. Spines protect the stems from predators and shade the stems, slowing water evaporation. On the stems, spines grow in clusters from small round nubs, known as areoles. Spines can grow in a straight line along the ribs of a stem or scattered in a regular pattern throughout the stem, and can be short, long, straight, or hooked; and soft or sharp, depending on the type of cactus. Flowers and additional stems will also grow from areoles.
The flowers of cacti have numerous sepals, petals, and stamens, with the sepals (outermost green leaves at the base of the flower) often changing color, integrating with the petals. In most cases, the flowers last only a few days; however, the flowers of Selenicereus and native Epiphyllum bloom and last only one night.
Selenicereus Grandiflorus
With one of the largest flowers—up to 14 inches—Selenicereus grandiflorus is appropriately named. Because the flower blooms at night, the species is named after the Greek moon goddess, Selene, with grandiflorus describing the size of the flowers. Cereus is the name for a type of cacti.
Most S. grandiflorus have round stems with ribs and needle-like spines along the edge of each rib, and silky hairs on the bud and stem of the flower. The sepals of the flower are pointed and can range in color from white to pink, the flower petals are white. The plant is also referred to as Vanilla Cactus because the flowers release a perfumed vanilla scent.
Epiphyllum: Also Known as Epi
Epiphyllum are native to Central and South America. The name is derived from “epi" meaning upon and “phyllum”, Greek for leaf, because the flowers bloom from margins in the flat leaves that are actually the stems of the plant. It is also an epiphytic plant; it will latch onto other plants for structural support. The species has flat stems with tunnel-shaped multi-petal flowers; and most flowers bloom at night.
The flowers of the native plants have white petals with pink sepals that spread open when the flower blooms. The plant has been hybridized into numerous species that bloom during the day and produce a variety of flower colors.
About Night Blooming Cereus
The common name for S. grandiflorus, Night Blooming Cereus, is regularly used to identify Epiphyllum oxypetalum. E. oxypetalum, named for its pointed petals, is also known as Dutchmen’s Pipe because the long tubular stem of the flower grows down and then curves up, resembling the shape of the pipe. The flowers bloom after dark from early to late summer, and the blooms have a sweet floral scent that permeates the air.
Plant a moon garden to showcase Night Blooming Cereus, and complement it with another fragrant tropical flower, Plumeria.
Sources
Epiphytic Cactus from the Rainforest
Got Epis: Night Blooming Cereus
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