night-blooming cereus

American  

[nahyt-bloo-ming] / ˈnaɪtˌblu mɪŋ /

noun

1. any of various cacti of the genera Hylocereus, Peniocereus, Nyctocereus, or Selenicereus, having large, usually white flowers that open at night.

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night-blooming cereus British  

noun

1. any of several cacti of the genera Hylocereus, Selenicereus, etc, having large fragrant flowers that open at night

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Etymology

Origin of night-blooming cereus

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

In describing the importance of journey in his pieces, Turrell mentions a night-blooming cereus known as the Queen of the Night.

From New York Times • May 9, 2013

This shot of a man taking a picture of a night-blooming cereus in Arizona.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the strange white radiance of Alabama moonlight white flowers�Cherokee roses, the night-blooming cereus, moon flowers and honey-suckle�were sweeter than at any other time.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mrs. Fred Foote's night-blooming cereus stubbornly held out for 7� years, finally bloomed while she was on vacation.

From Time Magazine Archive

You, Mr. Marsh, with your exhaustive inquiries into the habits and manners of Vermont mountaineers, your data won't be complete unless you've seen Nelly Powers' night-blooming cereus in its one hour of glory.

From The Brimming Cup by Fisher, Dorothy Canfield