13th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Queen of the Night

The Queen of the Night. This flower blooms once, maybe twice a year (if you're lucky) for one night only. I call it the alien flower, because before it opens it looks freakishly odd. It'll begin to open around nine or ten in the evening, and by sunrise it will have already closed up. It's quite a blessing to capture the rare moment.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2015
Date Uploaded: 11.2015
Photo Location: San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
Camera: iPhone 6
Copyright: © Lauren Billa