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002__________

Bougainvillea

What appears to be the colourful flower petals are actually modified leaves. Memories from Verona 2018, Lago di Garda.

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001__________

Night Blooming Cereus

QUEEN OF THE NIGHT / epiphyllum oxypetalum / 昙花

I first learned of this flower during my mid teens when my mother brought home a small cutting of this plant. It is said that the flowers are gorgeous and only bloom once a year, for one night, in the right conditions. My mother patiently took care of the plant for almost a year with no certainty if it will ever grow flowers. I remember how much joy it brought her when the first flower bud appeared. Days went by as it grew bigger and soon she was cautiously anticipating the special moment. One evening, she excitedly called for me to come see. It was happening. When I entered the room, its divine smell immediately hit me. It filled the entire room like a deep perfume, what a fragrance it was. And when I first saw the open flower, its voluminous presence and shape was very impressive. Instead of growing upwards like most flowers do, The Queen Of The Night hangs down facing you while it blooms. It felt like it was looking at you with its soft white inner petals surrounded by long sharp and pointy outer petals. It was gorgeous and at the same time almost intimidating. While it wilted by dawn, this flower had really stolen the night. Despite the short blooming period of just one night a year, when it does bloom, it takes all the attention with its mesmerising beauty.

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CL
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