Epiphyllum in Chapel Hill

We have known this flower for years.  It is Epiphyllum Oxypetalum, commonly called Night-Blooming Cereus.  In Chinese, it is named 曇花 (Tan Hua).  Interestingly, this flower will only bloom at night for a few hours.  Many people think that seeing it bloom will bring good luck to their lives.  We plant this in our backyard and we have noticed it blooming once a while before and after.  However, we had never had a chance to see it bloom in action.  We never bothered to go outside to check it out at night when blooming.

On 10 September 2011 while we had friends over for a gathering in the evening.   All of us witnessed, watched, and amazed the beauty of this flower while it was blooming.  The real flower will only last for a few hours and it will close up.  But, with photography, we can enjoy it day after day, year after year.