Family: Cactaceae
Origin, Description & Uses
Epiphyllum oxypetalum, commonly known as Dutchman’s pipe cactus or queen of the night, is a tropical cactus native to Mexico and parts of Central and South America. Unlike desert cacti, it is an epiphytic plant that naturally grows on trees in humid forests. It has long, flat, leaf-like stems that arch or trail and can form large clumps. The plant is best known for its spectacular, fragrant white flowers that open at night and typically last only until morning. Because of these dramatic blooms, it is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens and is also popular as a potted plant or hanging basket specimen.
Risks & Threats
In Hawaiʻi, Dutchman’s pipe cactus is occasionally cultivated and has been reported naturalized in some areas, but it is considered a low-risk species. It generally spreads slowly and is not known to aggressively invade natural ecosystems. The plant typically persists near cultivation sites and depends on suitable moist, shaded habitats to establish. While gardeners should always monitor plants to ensure they do not spread beyond intended areas, Epiphyllum oxypetalum has not been shown to cause significant ecological impacts in Hawaiʻi and is not considered a major threat to native ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized in China
- Native to tropics (climate match)
- Shade tolerant
- Vegetative reproduction (cuttings)
- Produces viable seed
- Widely introduced by people
- Climbing growth habit
Low Risk Traits:
- No evidence of invasiveness elsewhere
- Narrow climate tolerance (zones 10-12 only)
- Limited soil tolerance
- Non-toxic (edible flowers)
- Lacks spines/thorns
- Poor seed dispersal (large seeds)
- Low seed production (rare fruit)
- Requires specialist pollinator (hawk moth)
