acanthocereus
|a-can-tho-ce-re-us|
C2
🇺🇸
/əˌkænθoʊˈsɪəriəs/
🇬🇧
/əˌkænθəʊˈsɪəriəs/
thorny candle-like plant
Etymology
Etymology Information
'acanthocereus' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'akantha' meaning 'thorn' and 'cereus' meaning 'candle'.
Historical Evolution
'acanthocereus' was directly adopted into modern botanical Latin from Greek, maintaining its original form and meaning.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to a 'thorny candle-like plant', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of cacti native to Central America, known for their slender, spiny stems and night-blooming flowers.
The acanthocereus blooms at night, attracting nocturnal pollinators.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/10 21:51