Ceroid cactus

This article is about different genera of columnar cacti. For other uses, see Cereus.
Two ceroid cacti: Cereus repandus with a Pilosocereus in the background

The term ceroid cactus (or sometimes just cereus) is used to describe any of the species of cacti with very elongated bodies, including columnar growth cacti and epiphytic cacti.[1][2] The name is from the Latin cēreus, meaning "wax taper (a slender candle)", referring to the stiff, upright form of the columnar species.[3][4] Some species of ceroid cacti were known as torch cactus or torch-thistle, supposedly due to their use as torches by Native Americans in the past.[5]

The genus Cereus was first genus for such cacti and one of the oldest cactus genera. Its circumscription varies depending on the authority.

According to Cactiguide, the word cereus was commonly and freely used to describe any tree-like cacti, although this general use of the word is regarded as misleading, and the word ceroid or ceriform is preferred.[6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference freedictionary was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference merriamwdict was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "cereus". Chambers Dictionary. Allied Publishers. 1998. p. 267. ISBN 978-81-86062-25-8.
  4. ^ Quattrocchi, Umberto (1999-11-29). "cereus". CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. CRC Press. p. 485. ISBN 978-0-8493-2673-8.
  5. ^ "torch%20cactus". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Merriam-Webster.: "any of several columnar cacti of the genus Cereus whose stems were used by No. American Indians for torches."
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference cactiguidecereus was invoked but never defined (see the help page).