queen of the night

Epiphyllum oxypetalum

This remarkable cactus’s blossoms are enormous, heavily fragrant and only open for one night each. If I want to photograph it I need to be willing to stay up late because they fade by dawn. I appreciated it for awhile the first time it bloomed this summer and headed to bed a bit sad because I was too weary to give it the attention it deserved. I committed to capturing some photos of its second flush because that may be it for the year. I placed my trail camera with night vision in front of both bloomings hoping to catch a pollinator, but no luck with that so far, “just” a bobcat and some raccoons.

unfurling Epiphyllum oxypetalum
double Epiphyllum oxypetalum
foggy moon
Epiphyllum oxypetalum
Epiphyllum oxypetalum stigma
Epiphyllum oxypetalum side view
Epiphyllum oxypetalum tendrils

If you’re interested in growing this plant yourself, here’re some links to information on how to successfully cultivate it here and here.