Cactus Plant in Flower

Unknown

ca. 1800 · Opaque watercolor on paper · Islamic Art

The night-blooming Cereus cactaceae only displays its beautiful fragrant blossoms in the moonlight, which is reflected by the flower’s white petals, thereby attracting various pollinators. As is typical for such botanical studies, the plant is shown in several stages of development within one image. The cactus plant sends out a bud, which blooms as a white flower. After it is pollinated by a moth or even a bat, the flower dies and droops, and a bright red fruit grows from the base of the bud, which can be plucked and eaten.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1800

Medium

Opaque watercolor on paper

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2012