Plants >> Vanilla Cactus [Selenicereus grandiflorus]

Click on the image to enlarge a photo

Selenicereus grandiflorus is a cactus species originating from the Antilles, Mexico and Central America. The species is commonly referred to as Nightblooming Cereus, Queen of the Night [though these two terms are also used for other species], Large-flowered Cactus, Sweet-Scented Cactus or Vanilla Cactus.

The true species is extremely rare in cultivation. Most of the plants under this name belong to other species or hybrids.

Its generic name is derived from the old Greek moon goddess Selene, referring to the nocturnal flowers.

Common names
Chinese: Tan Hua.
Dutch: Koningin van de Nacht.
English: Queen of the Night, Night-blooming Cereus, Large-flowering Cactus, Sweet-scented Cactus, Vanilla Cactus, Large Blooming Cereus, Large flowered torch thistle, Large-flowered Night Cactus.
French: reine de la nuit, princesse de la nuit, cierge a grande fleurs, vierge a grandes fleurs, Cierge rampant à grandes fleurs, Fleur d'amour.
Italian: cacto grandifloro, regina della notte.
Japanese: Gekka Bijin [Beautiful woman under the moon].
Portuguese: flor-de-baile, cardeiro trepador.
Spanish: Reina de las Flores, Reina Gigante, Cardon, Gigante, Organillo, Reina de la noche.
Swedish: nattens drottning.
Malayalam: Nisha Ghanthi [Fragrance of the Night].
Tamil : Brahma Kamalam [Lord Bhrahma's Flower]

Location: Myanmar.