Saturday, July 20, 2013

Cereus chalybaeus Re-Post 9/19/09

Cereus chalybaeus (named from Greek/Latin signifying A Torch) also known as Columnar Cacti

My favorite name, one of many is Moonlight Cactus
These blooms can only be seen in full dark, the moment the sun comes up, they start to close. These pictures are from a neighbors house. It is very difficult to take pictures of them in the dark.



Click on photo to see the tiny details of this wonderful plant. It thrives in desert or tropical or semi-tropical, like Florida

The difference in this Moonlight Cactus and my Queen Of the Night: Moonlight is a column and Queen is a vine.
I took this at 5 AM. I tried to count the blooms, there were so many, it was difficult, I counted over 100 on the one plant. It was hard to count thinking the neighbor might come out and shoot me thinking I was an intruder. I mean WHO takes photos at 5 AM? I DO


This bud is ready to open the next night.
These are the fruit that grows on the cactus.



The fruit is pretty, like Christmas balls hanging on the cactus. I have been unable to find info on whether it is edible. My Queen of the Night has never had fruit, but it should.

21 comments:

Marcie G said...

Sandra! These are beautiful! I have never tried to shoot in the dark. You did a wonderful job! I love the detail. Seeing these almost makes me wish I still lived in Florida. I would love to try to shoot these.

Unknown said...

I like the name you chose for this one "Moon light Cactus" I can remember that. Great work. Hero.

Rose said...

Oh, these are gorgeous! I guess I would be parked in their yard...I would give them fair warning that I was going to be there, though.

TexWisGirl said...

lets hope the only shooting is you with your camera!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Thank you for re-posting. They are gorgeous!

photowannabe said...

Absolutely gorgeous.
God's creation is amazing.
Thanks for sharing the blossoms with us.

My Mind's Eye said...

MS WE ARE SO GLAD YOU DO FLASHBACKS 'CAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING YOU IN 2009
GORGEOUS POST
HUGS MADI AND MOM

Anonymous said...

So very pretty. I'm with TexWis...hope you are the only one doing any shooting.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Gorgeous flowers. The details are amazing.

Ginny Hartzler said...

You did spectacular!!! 33, #4 & #6 are my favorites, they are awesome!! You know, they say that plants bloom at night for the moths to pollinate, and plants bloom in the day for the butterflies to pollinate.

Ginny Hartzler said...

YES, you can eat the fruit of a columnar if it is a Cereus like yours.

Anonymous said...

Glad you didn't get shot madly snapping these awesome night bloomers at 5:00 am ~:)

Ann said...

I can picture you prowling around the neighbors yard at 5 am to get pictures...lol They sure are pretty.

Chatty Crone said...

Moon light cactus - love them.

George said...

You got some great night shots of these blossoms. I think they are beautiful enough to justify getting up at 5am and risk getting shot to take the photos. I'm glad you didn't get shot, though.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gorgeous, Sandra. I am intrigued with your Night Blooming Cactus.... SO--it also has fruit???? Neat!!!! How interesting. You got some great photos.
Hugs,
Betsy

Amy Burzese said...

These flowers are gorgeous too. I think you are the Queen of the Night!

Unknown said...

Oh goody, more beautiful flowers. That's an interesting fruit on that cactus.

SquirrelQueen said...

Oh wow, these blooms are awesome. I like the name Moonlight Cactus best too.

I don't know if this happens on other readers but did you know that your reposts do not show up on my Dashboard?

Deb said...

absolutely amazing flowers....you do such a great job photographing them...

Kathy said...

These are beautiful photos!