Queen of the night, as it blossoms only for a few minutes and then withers within a few hours. Here it is outside our front door, soon coming in.
- Thread starter Ivar Dahl-Larsen
- Start date
Stevenson Gawen
Well-Known Member
Is it a cactus?
Ivar Dahl-Larsen
Well-Known Member
No Stevenson, it is more like a tree/ bush like. We brought it home from the West Indies more than thirty years ago. We take it in during late autumn and winter. My wife is a wizard when it comes to plants of any sort. It blossoms several times, but only at midnight and it has a lovely scent.
Stevenson Gawen
Well-Known Member
Wow... sounds rather exciting!
Wes Hall
Well-Known Member
Lovely flower to share Ivar, to add to the knowledge it is closely related to a cactus as most think of them, but one of the Epiphyllum species - Christmas cactus are in them, as are dragon fruits to help link them in Stevenson's mind.
It's got lots of common misleading names, known by some as an orchid, but not at all related.
It's got lots of common misleading names, known by some as an orchid, but not at all related.
Stevenson Gawen
Well-Known Member
Stevenson Gawen
Well-Known Member
Absolutely!
Ivar Dahl-Larsen
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Here, on the other hand, is a cactus. The first one does not resemble a cactus at all. It is more like a tree; if we did not trim it, I guess it would grow large. it is about 180cm, as tall as me, but bending slightly as we get older and burdened. Now this one is also as old as the other, bought in Denmark 30 years ago and brought home. We take both in as winter approaches.
Wes Hall
Well-Known Member
It would be interesting to see the foliage from the plant Ivar, I based my views on both the name, inflorescence characteristics (including the pistal and stamen) and visual evidence of the image. The epiphytes can get very large and almost tree like.
Ivar Dahl-Larsen
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I never intended to dispute whichever family the Queen of the night belongs to Wes and I shall supply some more pictures of the two before I leave for other countries. Bear with me please.
Wes Hall
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Same Ivar
I appreciate the share, it's a curiousity with botany that gets stirred up from time to time and leads me to dig into research 
. I hope wherever you are off to next is a pleasant journey.
Ivar Dahl-Larsen
Well-Known Member
Thank you for your comments. I shall oblige the best I can, right now, they still stand out in the front. I am going to the West Indies in about two weeks, being away for 24 days.
Stevenson Gawen
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Have a great trip! Looking forward any photos you take too... ;-)
Ivar Dahl-Larsen
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Wes Hall
Well-Known Member
Thanks Ivar, I am certain it is Epiphyllum oxypetalum, and yours is a specimen and a half! It's highly desirable to collectors and can be propagated from cutting I believe.
Enjoy your trip, if you take a camera it will be a joy to see your images posted here.
Ivar Dahl-Larsen
Well-Known Member
Thank you for your comments and enlithening me in regard to their names. I know my wife shall appreciate this very much. Yes I always bring cameras wherever I go, even when I go to the groceries 
