Definition

Noun: 1. A specific species of night-blooming cactus: Queen of the night is a common name for a tropical American climbing cactus (Selenicereus grandiflorus or similar species in the Selenicereus and Epiphyllum genera). It is characterized by its triangular stems and is primarily cultivated for its spectacular, large, fragrant flowers that bloom only at night.

Usage Examples

• The queen of the night in my greenhouse finally bloomed, and its flower was breathtaking.
• Botanists study the unique pollination strategy of the queen of the night cactus.
• We stayed up late to watch the queen of the night open its blossoms.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used metaphorically to describe something of exceptional beauty that appears or is revealed under the cover of darkness or secrecy.
  • In the world of espionage, she was known as the queen of the night, operating unseen and gathering crucial information.

Variants and Related Words

• Night-blooming cereus: A broader common name that includes the queen of the night and other cacti with similar flowering habits.
• Selenicereus: The botanical genus name for many plants called queen of the night.
• Epiphyllum oxypetalum: Another species frequently called "queen of the night" or "Dutchman's pipe cactus."

Synonyms

• Night-blooming cereus (general term)
• Moonflower cactus (a related common name for some species)

Notes on Meaning

• The name "queen of the night" poetically emphasizes the plant's most notable feature: its stunning, ephemeral, and nocturnal flowers, which are considered the "royalty" of night-blooming plants. It is almost exclusively used to refer to this plant and not as a general title for a person.

Noun

1. tropical American climbing cactus having triangular branches; often cultivated for its large showy night-blooming flowers followed by yellow red-streaked fruits