organ-pipe cactus

[ awr-guhn-pahyp ]

noun

1. a treelike or columnar cactus, Lemaireocereus marginatus, of Mexico, having a central, erect spine surrounded by spreading spines in clusters of five to eight, and funnel-shaped, brownish-purple flowers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of organ-pipe cactus¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

It’s where the mountains are jagged islands in a blue ocean of sky, where the rock-and-thorn terrain is hostile to people but friendly to cottonwoods, organ-pipe cactus, green-skinned palo verde trees and mesquite.

From New York Times

They stand in yards, which are enclosed by fences of organ-pipe cactus.

From Project Gutenberg