epiphyllum

American

[ep-uh-fil-uhm] / ˌɛp əˈfɪl əm /

noun

any of several mostly epiphytic cacti of the genus Epiphyllum, native to tropical America, having large, fragrant white flowers.

Etymology

Origin of epiphyllum

< New Latin, equivalent to Greek epi- epi- + Greek phýllon leaf; so called from the leaflike branches on which the flower grows

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epiphyllum

The epiphyllum, or lobster cactus, or crab cactus, is one of the best of the family, easy of culture.

From Manual of Gardening (Second Edition) by L. H. (Liberty Hyde) Bailey

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023