The Amazon moonflower ( Selenicereus wittii ) is quite elusive. Every year, and only for a few hours, this peculiar cactus opens its sepals to the night sky, releasing a beautiful white flower and a sweet fragrance similar to a rainforest jasmine. When morning comes, everything is gone.
Now, researchers at the Cambridge University Botanical Garden (CUBG) have managed to capture the ephemeral flowering event for us.
The team thought it would bloom on Valentine's Day, February 14, but finally, it has been made to wait a little longer. Finally, on February 20, the sepals began to spread and, at 3:00 p.m., the bud began to open, releasing a multitude of long, white, pointed petals. At 5:00 p.m. he was already posing in all his splendor.
12 hours later, the flower began to fade, changing its scent.
The plant should continue to survive and the researchers hope it will continue to flower annually from now on.
