'Nishagandhi' flower in full bloom at man's residence in Valparai
Coimbatore: The 'Nishagandhi' flower was seen in full bloom at the house of Pandian in Rottikadai area in Valparai, Coimbatore district. This flower is considered as a lucky flower by the Chinese and found in abundance in the Himalayan region.
The flower's Botanical name is Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Dutchman's pipe cactus or queen of the night) and is a species of ,and one of the most cultivated species in the genus. It blooms rarely and only at night, and its flowers wilt before dawn. Also known as the 'Queen of the Night,' Nishagandhi is the name given because the flower blooms only in the night ('Nisha' meaning night).
The flower looks like a cradle with the star and hence it is also known as 'Bethlehem Lily.' The flower is currently in bloom in Tamil Nadu in places like Valparai, Gudalur, Ooty and Kodaikanal in the Western Ghats.