hedgehog cactus

noun

1. any of various rounded, usually spiny cacti of the genus Echinocereus, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having bell-shaped flowers that close at night.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hedgehog cactus¹

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

He is odd and rather humble, and very much resembles the Hedgehog Cactus, another group of Cereus, entirely.

From Project Gutenberg

The stems of the Mojave Hedgehog Cactus are as long as seven inches and of a pale green.

From Project Gutenberg

This lacework of spines is rather similar to the network of thorns covering the Hedgehog Cactus.

From Project Gutenberg

Echinocactus (fig. 2) is the name given to the genus bearing the popular name of hedgehog cactus.

From Project Gutenberg