This is a hybrid of Epiphyllum which has deep pink blooms.
Orchid cactus is by far the most popular and widely
cultivated species from this genus of cacti. The plant blooms at night,
since the flowers are predominantly pollinated by bats and large moths.
They have large white star-like flowers to help their pollinators locate
the blossoms by moon or star light, and many have very lovely fragrances.
Pink flowers, the size of a dinner plate, open as soon
as the sun goes down and stay open all night, closing in the morning.
Orchid cacti are at the pinnacle of cactus evolution, having left the
mundane process of growing on the ground and moved into the treetops to
exploit that unique environment -- the same one occupied by many orchids. Like
orchids, epiphyllums have evolved into epiphytic plants which live on the
surface of other plants. They are not parasites, merely passengers hitching a
ride up out of the gloomy understory of the forest and into the bright light
and clear air of the canopy.
Epiphyllums are indeed true cacti, but are more often labeled as "Epicacti" or
"jungle cacti" to differentiate them from related desert flora. Many plant
lovers also call them "orchid cacti" because of the very large and colorful
flowers. The great size and shape of the flowers, as well as their often
intoxicatingly sweet fragrance, comes from the wild Epiphyllum genes, but the
amazing colors mostly come from other cactus genera that have been cross-bred
into the hybrid epiphyllums.
Identification credit: Tabish
Photographed in
Manipur
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The flower labeled Orchid Cactus pink is ...
ntroduced