‖n. [ 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. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]