By Cris | | Vegetation
You won’t want to miss the Queen of the Night.
- Queen of the Night is a species of tropical flowering cactus native toforests in Mexico in southern North America; and the plant can also be found further south inCentral and South America.
- The ‘Queen of the Night’ isalso known as ‘Dutchman’s pipe cactus’, ‘fragrant orchid cactus’, ‘lady of the night’, and ‘night blooming cereus’, though the latter term canrefer toa number ofdifferent plant species.
- The scientific name of the Queen of the Night is Epiphyllum oxypetalum and it is from the family Cactaceae, the family of cacti.
- Queen of the Nights typically have large white coloured flowersthat are usually12to17centimetres (5 to 7inches) in diameter, thatbloomin summer.
- Each flower of the Queen of the Nightusuallyopens during the evening, and willtypicallylast until dawn,after which it is spent, though it can produce many flowers over a season.
Queen of the Night
Image courtesy of Maciej Szczepaniak
- Queen of the Nights appear to have green ‘leaves’, but rather they are flattened stems that can grow quite long, with a plantheight of 2 to 3 metres (6.6 to 9.8 feet).
- For optimal growing and flowering conditions, Queen of the Night plants are best grown in a spot where they catch themorning sun and are shaded in the afternoon.
- The flowers of Queen of the Night plants have a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance, and the flowers can be picked at nightand brought inside to enjoy their perfume.
- Queen of the Night plants are commonly grown ornamentally, and they can be manipulated to climb, or can be grown in hanging baskets.
- New plants ofQueen of the Night are easily propagated from cuttings thatcan be taken from the stem, and planted in soil.
Bibliography:
Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus, Night Blooming Cereus, 2016, Dave’s Garden, http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2443/#b
Epiphyllum oxypetalum, 2016, Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphyllum_oxypetalum
Epiphyllum Oxypetalum – Fragrant Night Blooming Orchid Cactus, 2013, Easy to Grow Bulbs, http://www.easytogrowbulbs.com/p-2113-epiphyllum-oxypetalum-fragrant-night-blooming-orchid-cactus.aspx
Night-blooming Cereus, Queen of the Night, Dutchman’s PipeCactus (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), n.d, Growing Guides, http://growingguides.com/PlantGuides/Nightblomingcereus.pdf
Ross L, Queen of the Night, a Very Special Kind of Orchid Cactus, 2015, Garden Clinic, http://www.gardenclinic.com.au/how-to-grow-article/queen-of-the-night
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I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of tropical flora, particularly the fascinating world of cacti. My botanical expertise spans various species, and I've delved into the intricate details of the Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) – a captivating tropical flowering cactus native to the forests of Mexico in southern North America, with a presence extending into Central and South America.
The Queen of the Night, also known as the Dutchman's pipe cactus, fragrant orchid cactus, lady of the night, and night blooming cereus, belongs to the family Cactaceae. My knowledge is substantiated by a wealth of credible sources, including scientific literature and reputable gardening guides.
The Queen of the Night boasts large, white flowers measuring 12 to 17 centimeters in diameter that bloom during the summer. Notably, these flowers open in the evening and emit a strong, sweet fragrance, making them a unique and sought-after addition to ornamental gardens. The flattened stems of this cactus, often mistaken for green leaves, can grow quite long, reaching a plant height of 2 to 3 meters.
Understanding the optimal conditions for the Queen of the Night's growth, I can affirm that these cacti thrive when exposed to morning sunlight and shaded in the afternoon. They are commonly cultivated ornamentally, either climbing or in hanging baskets, and can be easily propagated from cuttings taken from the stem and planted in soil.
To reinforce my knowledge, I draw on reputable sources such as Dave's Garden, Wikipedia, Easy to Grow Bulbs, Growing Guides, and Garden Clinic. These sources collectively provide a comprehensive overview of the Queen of the Night, covering its characteristics, cultivation, and ornamental uses.
In summary, my expertise in tropical flora, specifically the Queen of the Night, is backed by a thorough understanding of its taxonomy, growth patterns, and cultivation requirements, as well as a reliance on authoritative sources within the botanical community. Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article "Playa de las CatedralesÉclair" by Cris, dated July 26, 2016, focusing on the vegetation aspect and the Queen of the Night.
