Sounds almost impossible, doesn’t it? How does one even imagine that it is possible to have a cactus that can smell so good that it finds its way into a scent bottle, producing some of the most interesting and exotic fragrances known to man? If you have been to Mexico, there are chances that you would know how this is possible. Please read on to find out how this has happened over the years.
Cactus In The Desert
A cactus, which is also known as a succulent has a lot of gooey substance that is in its stems. This is more so in species that are found in the wild. Let us think of this large cactus plant that dots desert landscapes. It would be interesting to figure out how pollination takes place in a desert and how various species keep evolving especially where cactus is concerned. Take for instance the cactus flower that is found in the dryer parts of Arizona. This is a flower that is also referred to as the desert queen of the night. This is because of the strong sweet smell that it gives off, signalling to the bees and other pollinators that it is ready for pollination. These flowers are quite big and are usually in the shape of a saucer. The fruits that form later on are a bright red colour and quite fleshy.
Vanilla Cactus
This is another sweet-smelling cactus variety that is native to Mexico and some parts of South America as well. The strange thing about this flower is that it blooms only in the night and blooms only for that one night. So, it is quite a rare occurrence and a wonderful sight as well. The flowers are quite big and sometimes grow to a size of about twelve inches. The fruit that follows this flower is also quite attractive because it is red and fleshy. You will be surprised to see the small black seeds within the fruit.
There are very specialized perfume decants that are grown from these various kinds of cacti that are found in the dryer regions of Mexico and South America. In some cases, apart from using the flower, the stems and the sap that is found in the stems are also used in the perfume industry. The next time you see the name desert queen or something similar, you will remember the spiny cactus and how it has found its way into a mystical and aromatic scent bottle.
