Acanthocereus

/ˌækænθoʊˈsɪriːəs/ noun

Definition

A genus of tropical cacti characterized by their spiny stems, night-blooming flowers, and elongated fruits.

Etymology

From Greek 'akantha' (thorn) plus 'kereus' (wax, a reference to the wax-like appearance of cacti). The genus name reflects the botanical term combining Greek roots to describe the plant's thorny characteristics.

Kelly Says

Acanthocereus cacti produce some of the most stunning night-blooming flowers in the cactus world—their flowers open after dark and are pollinated by bats, showing how plants and animals co-evolved to depend on each other.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.