Night-blooming cereus (Selenicereus grandiflorus)Back to: organism, plant, land plant, vascular plant, seed plant, flowering plant, dicot, caryophyllales, cactus.
The night-blooming cereus, also known as the large-flowered cactus, queen of the night, organillo, sweet-scented cactus, vanilla cactus (Latin Selenicereus grandiflorus - also named as Selenicereus kunthianus, Cereus grandiflorus, Selenicereus kunthianus, Selenicereus hallensis, Cactus grandiflorus) is a cactus originating from the Antilles. The night-blooming cereus has branching stems about 1/2 inch wide with 5-8 edges. Its flowers are white, up to 30 centimetres in diameter and have a scent redolent of vanilla. The flowers are sometimes said to be among the most beautiful flowers in existence. The flowers open after sundown, closing and wasting after a few hours. As an ornamental houseplant the night-blooming cereus is not easy to take care for and therefore it is the pride of every cactus enthusiast whose plant bears flowers. Selenicereus species were often crossed with species from the genus Epiphyllum to produce more durable houseplants with nice big flowers. The plant is used in homeopathy, and is also assumed to be an aphrodisiac.
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