Cereus! Brahma Kamalam!
Its botanical name is Selencereus grandiflorus (or is it Epiphyllum oxypetallum? Or Saussurea
obvallata?) We in India know it by its Indian name of Brahma Kamalam. It is commonly known as Night Blooming Cereus.
Last year, on 13th June to be exact, the Brahma Kamalam
bloomed late in the night and we were treated to a rare sight which lasted for
just a few hours. After that, the blooms closed up. Soon, the plant went back
to being an ordinary, anonymous, cactus-type pot dweller.
The plant was taken care of along with its other potted neighbours and
watered every day. It remained in anonymity.
Last night, close to midnight, this once-a-year night bloomer chose to open up and
give us a repeat performance. Fourteen days short of one Gregorian calendar
year.
The plant is of the cactus variety, with narrow, elongated leaves. The
blooms are large and pearly white in colour and their stalks grow out from the
leaves. The flower starts to bloom late in the night. When in bloom, the flower
gives off a heady aroma.
There were four of them and all bloomed at the same time. It took about
3 hours for each bloom to open up fully and the flower was a sight to behold.
Their fragrance filled the air. This spectacle lasted for just an hour or so
before the petals started to close up. By morning, the petals were fully closed
and the flowers were drooping as if they had never opened!
Au revoir! Until next year!
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