Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose created the genus Selenicereus in 1909. This separated these vining cacti from the Cereus meaning "wax taper" from their upright growth habit. Seleni- refers to the moon.

Selenicereus species are climbing cacti. Described as "long-stemmed, scraggly cacti", the stems send out adventitious roots to hold to their support plants. In Florida, the plants are frequently found growing on old oaks or Sabal palms. Most people simply do not appreciate the plants; their lives caught up in reruns of prime-time television, they miss a true wonder.

In June, Selenicereus grow rusty-fuzzy buds. Then one evening toward the mid to end of month, the buds expand. By midnight, the vines are covered in spectacular flowers, rivaling the moon. It is a one-night only show, the audience are the creatures of the night and, if you are lucky, you may be one. By daybreak, the flowers are wilted; by midmorning, they are twisted closed and sagging.

The photographed plant is similar to Selenicereus grandiflorus and may be S. macdonaldiae. The plant had a negligible fragrance, the stems have 5 to 6 ribs and are only 0.95 centimeters (3/8 inch) in diameter, the areoles have whitish hairs (new growth areoles have long white retrorse hairs), and the spines are less than a millimeter.

(I leave the proper species name to those who know a lot more about cactus than I do. If you know the appropriate botanical designation, I would appreciate you sending me an email. cvandaveer@killerplants.com)