I have posted this photo a couple of days ago and I said that I did not know the name. My missus did not know either; she said it’s called Bunga Raja or something like that. Then blogger Vincent commented that he had always wanted to see a photo of the flowers in full bloom and finally got to see it here…
This website – Desert Queen – calls it the Queen of the Night while some call it Desert Rose, Moonlight Flower or even The Star of Bethlehem. Its real name, I think, is Night Cereus, and it is a plant found in the desert in the USA. They say it blooms once a year but the plant in our house has bloomed before last year and again the other night – 2nd January, 2009.
The old folks believe that it brings good fortune (My missus did win a bit of money, but I did not bother to go and buy!) and if you’re not lucky, it will never bloom at all. That night, we had four huge blooms on one stalk and another one on the other stalk and when in full bloom, the pleasant fragrance will fill the air throughout the whole vicinity. The leaves resemble those of the dragon fruit plant and I hear that they come in two colours – white or red.
You may click this link to see the youtube video showing the actual process of the flower blooming…and here’s a photo of the old queens (Somehow that reminds me of Sir Elton John! LOL!!!) by day…
They are so beautiful at night and it’s just too bad that they do not survive in the morning light. That brings to mind this song by Carole King:
Tonight you’re mine completely
You give your love so sweetly
Tonight, the light of love is in your eyes
But will you love me tomorrow?
Is this a lasting treasure
Or just a moment’s pleasure?
Can I believe the magic of your sigh?
Will you still love me tomorrow?
Tonight with words unspoken
You say that I’m the only one
But will my heart be broken
When the night meets the morning sun?
I’d like to know that your love
Is love I can be sure of
So tell me now and I won’t ask again
Will you still love me tomorrow?
...STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! 
Ooh I like the name Night Cereus… So did you guys buy any lottery when it bloomed?!! Should bet it on the TOTO jackpot (if I own the plant I will)! Haha…
My missus had a few tickets and won a bit over the weekend – she played very small. I’ve taken your word for it and gone out to buy for the special draw today. If I strike, I’ll fly out to KL one weekend and take you out dining in style! Hey! Wouldn’t that be hitting a double jackpot? LOL!!!
the lyric touched me la..and that flower remind me on bunga tanjung,not same kah?
I dunno what Bunga Tanjung looks like. Just know the song by Sharifah Aini! Hahahahahaha!!!
dont really appreciate flowers like my mom and you do, i only like the feh-mus ones like roses, orchids and such….. 🙂
I’m not into flowers either…just this one as it’s so unique! More into food! LOL!!!
This is an evergreen song, and Carole King is a good songwriter. I like this song too, but it’s so yesterday! Still prefer my Mariah and Jay Chou’s songs. Haha! Mariah sings better than Carole, and as for Jay, he’s not a good singer, but his songwriting skill is superb : )
Aiyor…Carole King’s a classic. How can Big Boobs compare? Hahahahahaha!!!! Never mind! Don’t wanna argue with a die-hard Curry fan! I wonder what the others think of this… LOL!!!
desert Rose 😀 If my AhMa from Papa’s side still alive, she should know what is that flower..
I heard my brother has the plant in NZ and some Spore family friends came to visit and the flower bloomed. The old grandma knelt down in front of the flower and prayed!!!
Don’t forget me when u win the jackpot! If u do,Ruby won’t do, have to be fine dining! Maybe u shld pluck the flowers n bathe in them,may increase yr chances!LOL!or better still cook n eat them!
No problem! I think the 6/52 TOTO jackpot is now over 5 million!!! Dream…dream…dream…!!! LOL!!!
Pacik Sibu, I think yr flower is the Keng Hua, much valued by the Chinese…go to this link n read more…
http://gardeningwithwilson.com/2008/02/26/my-epiphyllum-a-plant-with-memories/
Ok…will check it out later. Tnx.
I won’t be scare rushing into you again if you win Jackpot! Kingwood or Double Happiness or you prefer Blue Splendour? I ok de. haha..
I think overall it really resemble dragon fruit plants.
http://coolku.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-like-pitaya.html
That’s dragon fruit…but I think it’s the same family. The leaves look the same but this one has no fruit. And no need to wait till strike lottery lah! U call me when you’re back and anytime, can go makan, I belanja…no problem one!!! LOL!!!
If Mrs STP kena lottery and win big sum of cash, I’ll definitely fly to Sibu to share the joy with you. Hehe..
Regarding the Night Cereus, I think what they say is true. In my younger days and in my old house, my parents planted this flower. Somehow someone in the family will strike 4D when the flower blossoms. Hmm… Mysterious…
LOL!!! Thought you’d be the last one to believe…but if you click auntielucia’s link, it seems the fella had the same experience too!!! Not me though…so kesian!!! Still poor!!! So you can’t fly to Sibu just yet! Sob! Sob!
Aiya didn’t let me know earlier. I hentam toto jackpot RM10, sure kena, LOL!
Lucky you did not! White-white finish your RM10! I bought TOTO special draw…and don’t say tahi kuda…kentut kuda also I did not get!!! Hahahhahahahaha!!!
you damn romantic right lol..
Yalor…very romantic S.O.F. (sentimental old fool)!!! LOL!!!
My boss house got this plant. Yes, it was so beautiful. Anyway, my shoot is the flower haven open yet. :O) you can refer the url below :O)
Thanks for the link. Tell me if it flowers and you strike it rich. Mine so far…nothing yet! I’m still so poor! LOL!!!
aiya..don’t believe it lar. rumors only. The flower is nice only not for you to jadi kaya. :O)
Don’t believe lah! Want to be rich/have money…just have to work hard and hope! Cannot depend on luck one…or flowers! LOL!!!
wakakakekeke. correct :O)
Haiz!!! Will never be rich…so kesian! LOL!!!
you don’t have to rich and famous to be good :O)
True!…Very true indeed!
money can’t buy good friendship. LOL :O)
But there are people who will marry for money…. 😦