Word Study
cereus
CIDE DICTIONARY
cereus, n. [L., a wax candle, fr. cera wax. So named from the resemblance of one species to the columnar shape of a wax candle.].
A genus of plants of the Cactus family. They are natives of America, from California to Chili. [1913 Webster]
" 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 -->" [1913 Webster]
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