Fleur569's photo of this flower emerging brought me over here - must say all photos are gorgeous. Here is a flowers-in-art type of link to a botanical illustration of this night-blooming cactus: http://libtreasures.utdallas.e...

Philip Reinagle (1749 - 1833) was the artist, and he was commissioned, along with other artists, to provide flower paintings set in the habitat where they were found, for a folio put together by Dr. Robert John Thornton in early 1800s. It was financed by subscription - a very risky proposition for those days involving ships' voyages into a type of unknown no modern cruise ship could encounter.

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This plant has a lovely fragrance that is hard to describe. A little along the lines of honey, but also slightly muskier. And what a gorgeous bloom!

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Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a very popular and easily cultivated cactus. The plant is fast growing and can attain heights of 20' or more. It has profusely branched, erect and sprawling stems with nocturnal blooms that are wonderfully fragrant!

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Forms a small branching shrub when fully grown. Oxypetalum should not be confused with hookeri, as hookeri has more acute stems, which are a bit more succulent. Flowers on hookeri are more delicate, with petals less wide than oxypetalum. Stems start off flat, but as the stem ages, ribs start to dry, and only the vascular bundle is left. Commonly grown in Asian countries for its flowers.

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