Epiphyllum oxypetalum (L.) Haw.
| Etymology | Genus | From Greek, growing on leaves, referring to the flowers growing on the modified stems |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Sharp petals | |
| Family | Cactaceae | |
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Queen of the Night, Tan Hua Plant, 昙花 | |
| Status | Exotic: Cultivated Only | |
| Form | Shrub | |
| Native Distribution | Central America | |
Diagnostics
A cultivated shrub grown for its flowers. The stems, which extend out, are flattened and green, a characteristic of plants in this genus. It produces beautiful white flowers that only bloom around midnight and they only lasts several hours before wilting.
Interesting Facts
The Chinese common name for the Queen of the Night is 昙花 (tan hua). The idiom 昙花一现, meaning that good things are fleeting, is also said to have originated from this plant. It was featured in a scene in the novel and movie, Crazy Rich Asians, where Nick's grandmother held a party because the tan hua flowers would be blooming that night (Kwan, 2013).
Cultivated stand with flower buds overhanging a balcony in Hougang (2025).
Modified flattened stems with leaves.
Stem.
Flower.
References
Kwan K (2013) Crazy Rich Asians. Doubleday.