As of today, in season now. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
The Kadupul (Epiphyllum oxypetalum), a night-blooming cactus revered in Sri Lanka, produces one of the most fleeting flowers in the natural world.
Its large white blossoms unfurl only after dark — typically opening around 10-11 pm — release a sweet, heavy fragrance for a couple of hours, then begin to wilt and are gone by sunrise, never to reopen.
Because the bloom collapses within hours and cannot survive being cut, the flower has never been sold; it is sometimes called 'the flower that cannot be bought.' In Sri Lankan tradition it is the flower of the celestial Nagas, said to be offered to the Buddha.
The plant is widely grown in gardens, temple grounds and botanical gardens across the island, but the bloom itself is unpredictable — it flowers a handful of nights across the warm season, and you have to be there on the right night to see it.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya |
| Hakgala Botanical Garden |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.