Scientific Name for Cactus Explained With Classification And Facts For 2026

Have you ever looked at a cactus and thought, “What’s its real scientific name?” I’ve been there too. The first time I searched for it, I was honestly surprised because cactus isn’t just one plant with one name.

As I dug deeper, I realized there’s a whole scientific world behind these spiky beauties. And that’s exactly why I’m talking to you right now. If you’re curious, a student, or just someone who loves plants, this guide is for you.

I’ll walk you through the scientific name for cactus in the simplest way possible no confusing biology terms, just clear answers you can actually remember 🌵

Classic Cactus Scientific Names 🌿

These are the cactus names most people recognize. They are common in homes, gardens, and nurseries. This list helps you know their real scientific names.

1. Saguaro
Meaning: Scientific name: Carnegiea gigantea

2. Golden Barrel Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinocactus grusonii

3. Prickly Pear
Meaning: Scientific name: Opuntia ficus-indica

4. Christmas Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Schlumbergera bridgesii

5. Cholla Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Cylindropuntia imbricata

6. Organ Pipe Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Stenocereus thurberi

7. Old Man Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Cephalocereus senilis

8. Fishhook Barrel Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ferocactus wislizeni

9. Hedgehog Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinocereus engelmannii

10. Bunny Ear Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Opuntia microdasys

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Mini Cactus Scientific Names (Small & Cute) 🌱💚

Small cactus plants are loved because they fit anywhere. They look cute, neat, and fun to collect. These names belong to tiny species often found in pots.

1. Moon Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii

2. Star Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Astrophytum asterias

3. Pincushion Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria crinita

4. Feather Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria plumosa

5. Powder Puff Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria bocasana

6. Ladyfinger Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria elongata

7. Bishop’s Cap Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Astrophytum myriostigma

8. Rebutia Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rebutia heliosa

9. Turbinicarpus Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus

10. Frailea Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Frailea castanea

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Giant & Desert Cactus Scientific Names 🌵🔥

These cacti grow tall and look powerful. They live in deserts and can survive harsh heat. Their scientific names show their great size and strength.

1. Cardon Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pachycereus pringlei

2. Mexican Giant Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pachycereus weberi

3. Blue Myrtle Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Myrtillocactus geometrizans

4. Desert Snow Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pachycereus schottii

5. Organ Mountain Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Lophocereus schottii

6. Senita Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pachycereus schottii brittonii

7. Giant Cholla
Meaning: Scientific name: Cylindropuntia bigelovii

8. Totem Pole Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Lophocereus schottii monstrose

9. Compass Barrel Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ferocactus cylindraceus

10. Blue Columnar Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pilosocereus pachycladus

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Rare Cactus Scientific Names (Hard to Find) ✨🔍

Rare cactus plants are special because they grow in limited places. They are often loved by collectors. These scientific names belong to unique and valuable species.

1. Living Rock Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ariocarpus fissuratus

2. Starfish Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Astrophytum capricorne

3. Black Spine Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinocereus pectinatus

4. Bishop’s Hood Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Astrophytum ornatum

5. Snowball Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria candida

6. Blossfeldia Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Blossfeldia liliputana

7. Rainbow Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinocereus rigidissimus

8. Sand Dollar Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Astrophytum asterias

9. Turquoise Pincushion
Meaning: Scientific name: Thelocactus bicolor

10. Living Stone Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ariocarpus retusus

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Flowering Cactus Scientific Names 🌸🌵

These cacti bloom bright and pretty flowers. They are known for their amazing colors and shapes. The scientific names help you know their exact identity.

1. Easter Lily Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinopsis oxygona

2. Queen of the Night
Meaning: Scientific name: Epiphyllum oxypetalum

3. Desert Rose Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ariocarpus trigonus

4. Scarlet Hedgehog
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinocereus coccineus

5. Claret Cup Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinocereus triglochidiatus

6. Orchid Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Epiphyllum crenatum

7. Torch Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Trichocereus grandiflorus

8. Crown Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rebutia muscula

9. Yellow Torch Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinopsis aurea

10. Spider Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Gymnocalycium horstii.

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Indoor-Friendly Cactus Scientific Names 🏡🌿

These cactus plants grow well inside homes. They need less care, less water, and less sunlight. Their scientific names help you identify the perfect indoor choice.

1. Jade Plant Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Opuntia humifusa

2. Blue Torch Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pilosocereus azureus

3. Peanut Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinopsis chamaecereus

4. Fairy Castle Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Acanthocereus tetragonus

5. Snake Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Aporocactus flagelliformis

6. Zigzag Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Selenicereus anthonyanus

7. Lemon Ball Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Parodia leninghausii

8. Powder Puff Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria bocasana

9. Snow White Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria vetula

10. Chain Fruit Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Cylindropuntia fulgida

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Spiky & Fierce Cactus Scientific Names 🗡️🌵

These cacti are known for their sharp and strong spines. Their scientific names match their bold look and wild appearance.

1. Devil’s Tongue Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ferocactus latispinus

2. Toothpick Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Stetsonia coryne

3. Spiny Star Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Gymnocalycium pungens

4. Fierce Barrel Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ferocactus emoryi

5. Red Spine Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria spinosissima

6. Needle Ball Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Parodia scopa

7. Hook Spine Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria heyderi

8. Devil Cholla
Meaning: Scientific name: Cylindropuntia whipplei

9. Tiger Claw Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinocactus polycephalus

10. Thelocactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Thelocactus rinconensis

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Smooth & Spineless Cactus Scientific Names 😌✨

Some cacti have no spines. They have a calm look and feel soft. Their scientific names show this peaceful nature.

1. Spineless Prickly Pear
Meaning: Scientific name: Opuntia ellisiana

2. Smooth Christmas Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Schlumbergera truncata

3. Pereskia Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pereskia aculeata

4. Leaf Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Epiphyllum anguliger

5. Jungle Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rhipsalis baccifera

6. Mist Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rhipsalis cereuscula

7. Coral Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rhipsalis paradoxa

8. Mistletoe Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides

9. Rope Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rhipsalis crispata

10. Forest Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rhipsalis pilocarpa

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Colorful Cactus Scientific Names 🌈🌵

These cacti are treasured for their bright colors. Their scientific names belong to species known for stunning looks.

1. Red Torch Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinopsis huascha

2. Blue Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pilosocereus magnificus

3. Yellow Cushion Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Parodia chrysacanthion

4. Purple Prickly Pear
Meaning: Scientific name: Opuntia santa-rita

5. Orange Crown Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Rebutia muscula

6. Glow Torch Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Echinopsis huascha

7. Pink Easter Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Hatiora gaertneri

8. Red Little Person Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Gymnocalycium baldianum

9. Blue Column Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Pilosocereus gounellei

10. Fire Barrel Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ferocactus gracilis

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Strange & Unique Cactus Scientific Names 🤯🌵

These cacti look wild and unusual. Their shapes are surprising and artistic. Their scientific names reflect this rare style.

1. Brain Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria elongata cristata

2. Medusa Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Euphorbia caput-medusae

3. Boobie Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Myrtillocactus geometrizans fukurokuryuzinboku

4. Monkey Tail Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Cleistocactus colademononis

5. Old Lady Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Mammillaria hahniana

6. Bishop’s Hat Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Astrophytum myriostigma

7. Cork Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Melocactus matanzanus

8. Sea Urchin Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Astrophytum ornatum

9. Medallion Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Ferocactus macdougalii

10. Pyramid Cactus
Meaning: Scientific name: Strombocactus disciformis

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Conclusion

Cactus plants come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Each cactus has a scientific name that gives it a clear identity. In this guide, you explored more than 125 scientific names, arranged in helpful categories like classic cactus, tiny cactus, flowering cactus, desert giants, and rare ones.

Now you can easily identify the cactus you love, sound confident when you talk about them, and even pick the right one for your home or garden. Choose your favorite cactus name and enjoy the world of these strong and beautiful plants.