Epiphyllum oxypetalum

The side view of the Epiphyllum oxypetalum flower bloomed
Stems are erect, ascending, scandent, or sprawling and profusely branched.  Primary stems are terete, up through 6 metres (600 cm) long, flattened laterally, and ligneous at their bases.  Secondary stems are flat, elliptic-acuminate, up through 30 cm x 10–12 cm.  Stem margins are shallowly through deeply crenate and undulate. Leaves appear to be waxy therefore cutin is present. The purpose of cutin is to assist the plant to retain water. While cutting a leaf sample to be observed under a microscope, a gel-like substance oozes out. The leaf structure consists mostly of water-filled tissues.

Inflorescence and fruitEdit
Flowers are produced from flattened portions, are up through 30 cm long and 17 cm wide, nocturnal, and very fragrant. The principal odor component in the aroma is benzyl salicylate. Pericarpels are nude, slightly angled, and green. Bracteoles are short and narrow up through ca. 10 millimetres (1.0 cm) long. Receptacles are up through 20 cm long, 1 cm thick, brownish, and arching.  Outer tepals are linear, acute, 8–10 cm long, and reddish through amber.  Inner tepals are whitish, oblanceolate through oblong, acuminate, up through 8–10 cm long and 2.5 centimetres (25 mm) wide. Stamens are greenish white or white, slender and weak.  Styles are greenish white, pale yellow, or white, 4 mm thick, as long as inner tepals, and with many lobes.
Fruit are oblong, up through 12 x 8 cm, purplish red, and angled. 

  The Epiphyllum oxypetalum flower bud closed.
  This is a leaf from Epiphyllum oxypetalum.
  This is an Epiphyllum oxypetalum cross-section leaf under a microscope.

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Epiphyllum Oxypetalum

Epiphyllum oxypetalum

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