Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Cereus
‖
Ce′re-us
,Noun.
[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.