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Glite Dictionary
Acanthocereus pentagonus

Acanthocereus pentagonus

9.9
A cactus from dry parts of Mexico and the US with sweet edible fruit
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Acanthocereus pentagonus
  • The Acanthocereus pentagonus is often cultivated for its sweet, edible fruit in Mexico.

Examples

  • Wild Acanthocereus pentagonus plants thrive in arid regions of the southwestern United States.

  • Have you ever tasted the fruit of the Acanthocereus pentagonus?

  • Researchers studied the water storage adaptations of Acanthocereus pentagonus in desert environments.

  • The Acanthocereus pentagonus produces sweet and juicy fruit.

  • The Acanthocereus pentagonus is often cultivated for its sweet, edible fruit in Mexico.

  • Wild Acanthocereus pentagonus plants thrive in arid regions of the southwestern United States.

  • Have you ever tasted the fruit of the Acanthocereus pentagonus?

Synonyms

pitahaya cactus
vsAcanthocereus pentagonus
  • US
9.3

A cactus that grows in dry places and makes a sweet, juicy fruit people eat

is the scientific species name rather than the common form
pitahaya
vsAcanthocereus pentagonus
  • US
9.7

A cactus that grows in dry places and makes a sweet fruit

is the scientific species name rather than the common form

Surface Forms

Acanthocereus pentagonus singular
Acanthocereus pentagonuses plural

Morphology

Acanthocereus + pentagonus

The binomial is transparently compositional as genus + species, so a learner who knows 'Acanthocereus' can infer this refers to a species of that genus (i.e. a type of cactus). However, the specific epithet 'pentagonus' is not a common English word and does not transparently convey the detailed sense (e.g. edible juicy fruit), so the full, specific meaning is not predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Acanthocereus pentagonus may come from old words: acantho- meaning 'thorn', cereus meaning 'candle' for its tall, candle-like shape, and pentagonus meaning 'five-sided'. So the name paints a picture of a spiny, candle-like cactus with five sides that produces sweet, juicy fruit, which helps you remember the plant.