印象裡，仙人掌都生長在沙漠中，不過有一類仙人掌卻適應森林環境，以氣生根攀附樹上，通稱為森林性仙人掌，最具代表性的是曇花。看似葉片的構造，其實是演化像葉片的莖，花朵從葉狀莖的凹缺處開出。開花期夏到秋季，在夜間9點到12點綻放，有月下美人的稱號，凌晨就逐漸凋謝，成語「曇花一現」就是比喻美好事物太過短暫。

In general, cacti are grown in arid deserts, but there is a type of cactus that adapts to the forest environment and uses aerial roots to cling to tree trunks which is called forest epiphytic cactus. The beautiful and fragrant Dutchman's Pipe Cactus is the iconic plant of the category. The leaf-like structure is actually a stem and the flowers are drawn from the indentation of the leaf-like stem. It blooms from summer to autumn, usually from 9 to 12 o'clock in the evening and gradually fades in the early morning, hence the alias a beauty under the moon. The Chinese common name is cited in an idiom "Tanhua Yi Xian” which is a metaphor for short-lived beautiful things.

曇花屬的仙人掌，原產墨西哥。以莖上氣生根攀附樹幹上生長，是森林性的附生仙人掌，長度可達3m以上。具有多數分枝，莖圓形或扁平如葉。葉狀莖長15~40cm，寬5~6cm。花著生於葉狀莖邊緣的凹陷處。白色花，長25~30cm，直徑12~20cm，於夜間9~12點開放，凌晨前即凋謝，有芳香。開花期夏至秋季。

A cactus of the genus Epiphyllum, native to Mexico. It relies on the aerial roots on the stems to climb on tree trunks. A forested epiphytic cactus, up to over 3 m in length. The stems richly bifurcated, round or flat in leaf-like shape, 15 to 40 cm long and 5 to 6 cm wide. Flowers borne on the indentation of the leaf-stem margin. Flowers white, 25 - 30 cm in length and 12 - 20 cm in diameter, bloom during 9 - 12 pm and wilt before dawn. Flower from summer to autumn.

栽培：全日照或半日照環境，高濕度可促進生長。炎夏時曝曬會讓植株變成黃綠色。種植要使用砂質壤土或培養土等排水透氣的介質。不耐旱，介質略乾就要澆水。花苞發育階段時勿移動位置，以免環境驟變造成落蕾。以扦插繁殖為主。

The plant favors full-sun and partial sun, exposure in high summer will change the color to yellow-green. High humidity can promote the growth, but draining and breathable soil, such as sandy loam soil or culture soil are recommended. The plant is not drought-tolerant so it requires watering when the soil appears dry. Do not relocate it during flower-bud growing period because sudden changes of the conditions may cause bud abscission. Propagated mainly by cutting.

花朵素雅美麗，氣味芬芳馥郁，是栽培普遍的花卉。可用直徑1呎以上的盆器種植或直接露地栽培於遮蔭處。剛凋謝的花朵可以在去除花蕊後烹煮食用。

The plant is popular for its simple, elegant flowers and rich fragrance, suitable to plant in pots larger than 1 foot in diameter or in a shaded location in the open filed. Freshly withered flowers with stamens removed are edible afte