Cereus
1
9.9
A large cactus with a ribbed body, sharp spines, and white flowers that open at night
- noun
- /ˈsɛriəs/
- Specialized
:
Cereus
- If late summer lingers, however, you can troop out with a flashlight to see the cereus at midnight as an exotic treat for visitors and children.
Examples
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And I want to see some night-blooming cereus blossoms.
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The Night Blooming Cereus.
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The night-blooming cereus opens its beautiful white flowers only in the dark.
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Many gardeners enjoy cultivating the cereus for its striking night-blooming flowers.
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In the desert, the large cereus cactus stands tall, its ribs and spines clearly visible.
Compounds
A cactus with large, fragrant flowers that open at night and wilt by morning
Surface Forms
Etymology
Cereus comes from the Latin word cereus, which means 'wax' or 'candle', because these cacti grow tall and straight like candles. So the name helps you remember that a Cereus is a large cactus that can grow very tall and often opens its white flowers at night.