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.

---

night-blooming cereus British  

noun

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

---

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

Our night-blooming cereus is good enough for me.''

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

The night-blooming cereus was in rank abundance, together with the flor de pascua, or Easter flower, so lovely in its cream-colored, wax-like blossom.

From Due South or Cuba Past and Present by Ballou, Maturin Murray