Living

They only come out at night, and this is that night

By Marty Clear

mclear@bradenton.com
Selenicereus is an epiphytic, lithophytic and terrestrial cactus genus found in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. On a single night each year, as twilight moves to night, spectacular blossoms open up all along the length of the plant for a few brief hours. Then, as dawn creeps in on the horizon, the petals close up and the show ends. The cactus will bloom tonight at Selby Gardens in Sarasota.
Selenicereus is an epiphytic, lithophytic and terrestrial cactus genus found in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. On a single night each year, as twilight moves to night, spectacular blossoms open up all along the length of the plant for a few brief hours. Then, as dawn creeps in on the horizon, the petals close up and the show ends. The cactus will bloom tonight at Selby Gardens in Sarasota. Provided photo

Its real name is Selenicereus, but the people at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens call it the Queen of the Night.

It’s a large cactus vine that has wrapped itself around and through the limbs of an oak tree on the Selby Gardens grounds. Once a year, at night, it opens its spectacular white blooms. The blooms wither before dawn.

This is the night that the Selby Selenicereus will bloom, and you’re invited to watch.

From 8 to 11 p.m. this evening, Selby will host a free, informal event for people who want to look at the blooming cactus. They did the same thing last year, and several hundred people showed up over the course of the evening.

A botanist from the grounds will be on hand to answer questions, and food, drinks and spirits will be on sale. Chairs will be set up, but you can bring your own if you prefer.

The grounds of the gardens will be closed, so the free event just gets you into the area where the cactus will bloom.

Details: 8-11 p.m. May 31, Marie Selby Botantical Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota. Free. 941-366-5731, selby.org.

Marty Clear: 941-708-7919, @martinclear

This story was originally published May 31, 2017 at 2:05 PM with the headline "They only come out at night, and this is that night."

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