Harrisia

/hæˈrɪziə/ noun

Definition

A genus of climbing cacti native to the Caribbean and tropical Americas, known for their night-blooming flowers.

Etymology

Named after William Harris, a 19th-century Jamaican botanist and naturalist. The genus name follows Linnaean taxonomic conventions by honoring a notable botanist with the -ia suffix.

Kelly Says

Harrisia cacti have the coolest trick—their beautiful flowers only bloom at night! Scientists named an entire plant genus after William Harris, which is like getting your name permanently put in the history books as a reward for studying nature.

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