Timelaspe of rare Amazonian cactus blooming for one night only
Guardian, 21 Feb 2021
A rare Amazonian cactus called the moonflower has bloomed for what botanists believe is the first time in the UK.
Experts at Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden kept a night watch throughout the week so that they did not miss the flowering of Selenicereus wittii – an event which usually begins at sunset and is over by sunrise.
The moonflower actually bloomed earlier on Saturday afternoon at around 3pm, and the garden said it was 28cm (11 inches) long.
The coveted flower produces a sweet-smelling scent that turns “rancid” after just two hours, as the plant begins to die.
Rare Amazonian cactus flowers for first time in UK
Ready, steady, bloom! Botanists wait for rare cactus to open for one night only
Experts at Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden kept a night watch throughout the week so that they did not miss the flowering of Selenicereus wittii – an event which usually begins at sunset and is over by sunrise.
The moonflower actually bloomed earlier on Saturday afternoon at around 3pm, and the garden said it was 28cm (11 inches) long.
The coveted flower produces a sweet-smelling scent that turns “rancid” after just two hours, as the plant begins to die.
Rare Amazonian cactus flowers for first time in UK
Ready, steady, bloom! Botanists wait for rare cactus to open for one night only
