fishhook cactus


noun
  1. a large cactus, Ferocactus wislizenii, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having hooked spines and red or yellow flowers.

Origin of fishhook cactus

1
An Americanism dating back to 1845–50

Words Nearby fishhook cactus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use fishhook cactus in a sentence

  • Indians use the spines for fish-hooks, hence a common name, fishhook cactus, and the celebrated cactus candy is made from it.