queen of the night

Also known as Night-Blooming Cereus, Large-Flowered Cactus, Sweet-Scented Cactus, Vanilla Cactus

Queen of the night produces massive, ivory-white flowers that open for a single evening each year, emitting a powerful vanilla and orange-blossom scent to lure nocturnal pollinators. The climbing or sprawling stems use aerial roots to cling to trees and rocks throughout tropical scrub and coastal forests. By dawn, the spectacular blossoms wither, yielding bright reddish fruits that feed local wildlife.