cereus Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun genus of much-branched treelike or shrubby cacti with pronounced ribs and rounded needlelike spines and nocturnal flowers usually white
genus Cereus.

L., a wax candle, fr. cera wax. So named from the resemblance of one species to the columnar shape of a wax candle.

(Bot.) A genus of plants of the Cactus family. They are natives of America, from California to Chili. ✍ Although several species flower in the night, the name Night-blooming cereus is specially applied to the Cereus grandiflorus, which is cultivated for its beautiful, shortlived flowers. The Cereus giganteus, whose columnar trunk is sometimes sixty feet in height, is a striking feature of the scenery of New Mexico, Texas, etc.<--saguaro?= Carnegiea gigantea-->