Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cereus \Ce"re*us\, n. [L., a wax candle, fr. cera wax. So named
   from the resemblance of one species to the columnar shape of
   a wax candle.] (Bot.)
   A genus of plants of the Cactus family. They are natives of
   America, from California to Chili.

   Note: Although several species flower in the night, the name
         Night-blooming cereus is specially applied to the
         {Cereus grandiflorus}, which is cultivated for its
         beautiful, shortlived flowers. The {Cereus giganteus},
         whose columnar trunk is sometimes sixty feet in height,
         is a striking feature of the scenery of New Mexico,
         Texas, etc.