cereus

[ seer-ee-uh s ]

/ ˈsɪər i əs /

any of various plants of the genus Cereus, of the cactus family, having large, usually white, funnel-shaped flowers.

any of several related, similar plants, especially of the genera Hylocereus, Nyctocereus, and Selenicereus.

Origin of cereus

1720–30; < New Latin, Latin cēreus wax candle, noun use of cēreus cereous

It is commonly known as the Opelet, and its scientific name is Anthea cereus.

The Sea Shore |William S. Furneaux
We have seen perfect "drum-sticks" formed by grafting a full-grown plant of this on the stem of a Cereus.

Cactus Culture For Amateurs |W. Watson
Among Cactuses the columnar species of Cereus (Fig. 111, b), may be likened to rootstocks.

The Elements of Botany |Asa Gray
It wouldn't seem like a year in our valley if we didn't see your cereus in bloom.

The Brimming Cup |Dorothy Canfield Fisher

We saw our first Melocactus, and our first night-blowing Cereus creeping over the rocks.

At Last |Charles Kingsley

cereus

/ (ˈsɪərɪəs) /

any tropical American cactus of the genus Cereus, esp C. jamacaru of N Brazil, which grows to a height of 13 metres (40 feet)

any of several similar and related cacti, such as the night-blooming cereus

C18: from New Latin, from Latin cēreus a wax taper, from cēra wax