In its native desert Southwest range an elusive cactus grows beneath creosote bushes, ironwoods and other desert shrubs. For most of the year the plant is hard to recognize. Its gray stems look like dead sticks and blend into the surrounding vegetation.
But for one night each year the plant changes. White flowers open after sunset and reflect the moonlight which helps attract nighttime pollinators.
Meet the Arizona Queen of the Night (Peniocereus greggii).
This cactus grows from a large underground tuber and produces fragrant white flowers that bloom at night. The Queen of the Night usually blooms once a year. The flowers open in the evening and close again early the next morning.
Seeing the blooms is rare because they last only a few hours.
The cactus is pollinated by hawk moths (Sphingidae), fast-flying insects with a long proboscis that allows them to reach nectar deep inside the flower. The cactus increases its chances of pollination by blooming at the same time as other plants. The flowers also release a sweet scent that hawk moths can detect in the night air.
Watch the Garden’s time-lapse video to see how this desert plant blooms.
