How long is the lifespan of an Epiphyllum oxypetalum flower? A detailed explanation in one article

Epiphyllum oxypetalum is also known as Qionghua, Tanhua, Guizaihua, Weituohua, etc. It is an epiphytic succulent shrub native to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Suriname and Costa Rica, and is widely cultivated in various regions of the world. People often hear the saying “a fleeting Epiphyllum bloom”. Now let us take a look together at how long the lifespan of an Epiphyllum oxypetalum flower is!

How long is the lifespan of an Epiphyllum oxypetalum flower?

The flowering season of Epiphyllum oxypetalum is generally from June to October, and the blooming time is generally after 8 to 9 o'clock at night. The full bloom lasts only 5 to 10 minutes, which is very brief. When Epiphyllum oxypetalum blooms, the floral tube slowly tilts upward, gradually opening its purple outer covering, and then the large, snow-white flower made up of more than 20 petals opens. However, only 3 to 4 hours later, the corolla closes and the flower quickly withers, which truly deserves the phrase “a fleeting Epiphyllum bloom”.

What is the flower language of Epiphyllum oxypetalum?

Beauty of an instant, eternity in a flash. People often use "a fleeting Epiphyllum bloom" as a metaphor for beautiful things that do not last, and similar idioms include in the snap of a finger, a flash of lightning, a white horse passing a crack, and fleeting in an instant.

What are the values of Epiphyllum oxypetalum?

1. Ornamental value: Epiphyllum oxypetalum is a famous ornamental flower, commonly known as the beauty under the moon. Whenever summer and autumn festivals arrive, when the sky is full of stars and the night is deep and quiet, Epiphyllum oxypetalum blooms, displaying its beautiful posture and elegant colors. While people are still asleep in their dreams, the plain and fragrant Epiphyllum oxypetalum has already closed and withered in an instant, hence the saying “a fleeting Epiphyllum bloom”. Its wonderful flowering habit often greatly interests flower enthusiasts.

2. Medicinal value: Epiphyllum oxypetalum has the effects of softening the bowels and removing toxins, clearing heat and treating asthma. It mainly treats large intestine heat syndrome, constipation and bloody stool, swollen sores, pneumonia, blood streaks in phlegm, asthma and other conditions, and also treats high blood pressure and high blood lipids.

3. Ecological value: Placing a few pots of green plants at home not only allows you to absorb healthy fresh air every day, but also benefits health and beautifies the environment.

① Green plants generally carry out photosynthesis during the day, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. At night they all become like the human body, absorbing oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide. However, Epiphyllum oxypetalum is exactly the opposite. It is a common plant with CAM metabolism (Crassulacean acid metabolism). During the day it releases oxygen and only carries out the light reaction. At night, after the surrounding ambient temperature drops to an appropriate level, it absorbs carbon dioxide for the dark reaction. Therefore, Epiphyllum oxypetalum can improve the indoor environment to a certain extent.

② Epiphyllum oxypetalum can increase the negative ion content indoors. Although its flowering period is very short, when it blooms it is beautiful and noble, with a rich delicate fragrance. It can release negative ions, making the indoor air fresh and pleasant. Negative ions can be said to be the vitamins of the air. If the negative ion content in a room decreases, people will feel suffocated and short of breath. Therefore, Epiphyllum oxypetalum, which can increase the concentration of negative ions in the air, is indeed a rare, beautiful and beneficial flower.

③ The scent of Epiphyllum oxypetalum has the ability to sterilize and inhibit bacteria, filling the home environment with a healthy atmosphere.