The much-anticipated opening of our night-blooming cereus occurred last night, exposing its intricate array of stamens and delicate pistil, and filling the air with its heady fragrance. This plant, a member of the cactus family, spends most of the year as the most ungainly of houseplants. Like a clumsy teenager it sprawls out of its pot, always looking hungry for something. Technically, the plant has no leaves – the leaflike structures are actually flattened stems. But oh, those summer nights when we have a bloom! It looks as though this is the only blossom we’ll have this year. No worries — our gawky boarder has once again earned its keep. In spades!
Sewanee Herbarium 