Etymology of Cacti & Succulent Genera
Etymology Dictionary of Epithets of Cactus & Succulent Genera
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This etymology of Cacti & Succulent Genera was put together by John Chippindale of Leeds England.
In biology the binomial nomenclature is a standard convention that identifies each
species by a scientific name of two words, Latin in form and usually derived from Greek
or Latin roots. The scientific name of a species is formed by the combination of two terms.
The first name (capitalized) is the genus of (in this case) the plant, the second (not capitalized)
is the plant species.
The genus is a grouping of similar, closely related and morphologically similar species.
Similarly, genera are grouped into families, families into orders, orders into classes, and
classes into phyla or divisions.
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| Acanthocalycium |
Refers to the characteristic flower tube of the genus. akantha . From the Greek meaning a prickle or thorn and kalyx meaning calyx. (For example: Acanthocalycium glaucum). |
| Acanthocereus |
The generic name comes from the Greek akantha, meaning thorn, which describes the very spiny formation along the stems and branches. (For example: Acanthocereus tetragonus). |
| Acanthorhipsalis |
The generic name from the Greek akantha , meaning a thorn, refers to the spiny stems, which distinguish this genus from its close relative Rhipsalis. (For example: Acanthorhipsalis monacantha). |
| Agave |
Agave . The word means noble. (For example: Agave americana). |
| Ancistrocactus |
From the Greek words ancistron , meaning fishhook and kaktos , meaning thistle. (For example: Ancistrocactus scheeri). |
| Aporocactus |
Aporos . From the Greek , meaning tangled. (For example: Aporocactus flagelliformis). |
| Argyroderma |
The name comes from the Greek words, argyros , meaning silver, and derma , meaning skin. (For example: Argyroderma theartii). |
| Ariocarpus |
The generic name "Ariocarpus" is derived from the Greek Aria meaning "Sorb" (Sorbus aria – Rosaceae - is the white-beam tree) and the Greek word karpos meaning "fruit"
( The Genus name implies: "fruit similar in appearance to that of the white-beam")
(For example Ariocarpus scapharostrus) |
| Armatocereus |
The name is derived from the Latin Armatus , meaning armed and probably refers to the spiny character of the stems. (For example Armatocereus laetus). |
| Arrojadoa |
Named in honour of Dr. Miguel Arrojado Lisboa , superintendent of the Brazilian Railways at the time that Britton and Rose described the genus in 1922. For example: Arrojadoa bahiensis). |
| Astrophytum |
The generic name "Astrophytum" derives from the Greek words astron, meaning a "star" and "phyton", meaning plant. ( The Genus name implies: "star plant"). (For example: Astrophytum asterias) |
| Austrocactus |
The generic name is from the Latin Australis , meaning southern. (For example: Austrocactus spiniflorum) |
| Austrocephalocereus |
The name from the Latin Australis meaning southern, and the Greek Kephale , meaning head, describes the attractive cephalium which forms on the upper side of mature stems. (For example: Austrocephalocereus dybowskii) |
| Aztekium |
This unusual genus was named by F. Boedeker in 1929 because the colour of the rock-like body and the lateral very distinctive ribs are said to be reminiscent of original designs in the sculptures of the early Aztek Indians . ( For example: Aztekium hintonii). |
| Bergerocactus |
A monotypic genus raised by Britton and Rose in 1909 to honour Alwin Berger , for many years the curator at the garden of Sir Thomas Hanbury at La Mortola in Italy and an authority on Cactaceae. (For example: Bergerocactus emoryi). |
| Blossfeldia |
The genus was named in honour of the discoverer of the first species, Blossfeldia liliputana, Harry Blossfeld Jr Whose expeditions in Brazil and other South American countries have resulted in many finds of horticultural interest. (For example: Blossfeldia liliputana). |
| Borzicactus |
For Antonio Borzi , an Italian botanist. (For example: Borzicactus pLatin ospinus). |
| Brachycereus |
The genus takes its name from the Greek brachys , meaning short, which refers to the plants fairly low-growing stature. (For example: Brachycereus nesioticus). |
| Brachystelma |
Brachys , From the Greek meaning short. stelma meaning column. (For example: Brachystelma barberiae). |
| Brasilocactus |
The genus "Brasilocactus" derives from the state of Brazil the land of origin of this plant and the word cactus ( an old genus name)
(The specific name implies "Cactus coming from Brazil. ") |
| Brasilparodia |
Parodia coming from Brazil. |
| Browningia |
The genus was named in honour of the American botanist W. E. Browning. |
| Buiningia |
A small genus named in honour of the Dutch botanist, A. F. H. Buining. |
| Calymmanthium |
The genus name comes from the Greek kalumma , meaning veiled and anthos , meaning flower. |
| Carnegia |
For Andrew Carnegie , an American industrialist. |
| Carpobrotus |
The name comes from the Greek words karpos , meaning fruit, and brota , meaning edible. |
| Cephalocereus |
From the Greek word kephale , meaning head and the Latin word cereus , meaning a wax taper (candle). |
| Cereus |
From the Latin word cereus , meaning a wax taper (candle). |
| Cintia |
The genus "Cintia" is named after the town of Cinti near Otavi, Potosi in Bolivia. land of origin of this plant. (For example: Cintia knizei) |
| Cleistocactus |
Cleistos . From the Greek , meaning closed. As in the genus Cleistocactus whose flowers seldom fully open. |
| Coleocephalocereus |
The generic name is from the Greek koleos , sheath, and kephale head, a reference to |
| Conophytum |
The name of this genus is derived from the Greek words konus , meaning cone, and phyton , meaning plant. |
| Copiapoa |
Named after the town of Copiapoa , in chile. |
| Corryocactus |
The genus was named after a Peruvian engineer, T. A. Corry , who aided early-day plant explorers with their expeditions. |
| Coryphantha |
From the Greek . koryphe meaning crown.anthos meaning flower. |
| Cryptocereus |
From the Greek word kryptos , meaning hidden and the Latin word cereus , meaning a wax taper (candle). |
| Didymaotus |
The name is derived from the Greek words didymos , meaning double, and otus , meaning flower. |
| Disocactus |
From the Greek dis , meaning twice or double, which refers to the fact that both outer and inner flower segments are of the same length.. |
| Dolichothele |
From the Greek words dolikos , meaning long and thele , meaning nipple. |
| Dorstenia |
The genus is named after the German botanist Theodor Dorster , who was born in the late fifteenth century. |
| Dracaena |
The name means female dragon . |
| Echinocactus |
From the Greek words echinos , meaning hedgehog and kaktos , meaning thistle. |
| Echinocereus |
The generic name "Echinocereus" derives from the Greek word Echinos meaning "porcupine or hedgehog", "sea urchin" referring to the spines that cover the plant,. and the Latin word meaning "large wax candle" (the name of a columnar cactus Genus)
( The genus name implies: "spiny cereus").
(For example: Echinocereus pentalophus). |
| Echinofossulocactus |
From the Greek word echino , meaning hedgehog, the Latin word fossula , meaning small hollow, and the Greek word kaktos , meaning thistle. |
| Echinopsis |
The generic name comes from the Greek , echinos , meaning hedgehog and opsis , referring to appearance. |
| Edithcolea |
The genus is named after Miss Edith Cole , who discovered it growing in rocky places in Somaliland in 1895. |
| Encephalocereus |
The name comes from three Greek words, en , meaning in, kephale , which signifies head and karpos , meaning fruit and probably referring to the fruit that, like the flowers are produced in the crown or head of the plant. |
| Epiphyllum |
The name is derived from the Greek epi , meaning on, and phyllon , a leaf, because early botanists considered that the flower came from the leaf. |
| Epithelantha |
The generic name "Epithelantha" derives from the Greek word Epi meaning "upon, on, at, over"; the Greek word thele meaning "nipple" referring to the tubercles, and anthos meaning "flower".
(The genus name implies: "flowers upon the tubercles").
(For example: Epithelantha bockei). |
| Eriocactus |
From the Greek words erion , meaning wool, and kaktos , meaning thistle. |
| Eriocereus |
The name is from the Greek erion , meaning wool, and would seem to refer to the woolly tube of the flowers. |
| Eriosyce |
The name is derived from the Greek erion , meaning wool and sykon meaning fig, referring to the woolly fruits. |
| Erythrorhipsalis |
The generic name is from the Greek erythros , which refers to the fruits, which are ultimately red. |
| Escobaria |
Named after the Mexican naturalist Romulo Numa Escobar. |
| Espostoa |
For Nicolas Esposto , a Peruvian botanist. |
| Eulychnia |
From the Greek . eu meaning good. lychnia meaning candelabrum |
| Facheiroa |
The generic name is taken from a Brazilian word for cacti, Facheiro. |
| Ferocactus |
From the Latin word ferox , meaning fierce and the Greek word kaktos , meaning thistle |
| Frailea |
Named after the Spaniard Manuel Fraile who looked after the cacti collection of the US Department of Agriculture at the time Britton and Rose were preparing their book.
(For example: Frailea castanea) |
| Frerea |
The plant is named in honour of Edward Frere , a prominent scientific researcher in India. |
| Geohintonia |
The genus "Geohintonia" is named in honour of its discoverer Georges Hinton
(For example: Geohintonia mexicana) |
| Gibbaeum |
The name of the genus comes from the Latin word gibba , meaning hump or swelling and refers to the shape of the leaf. |
| Gymnocactus |
From the Greek words gymnos , meaning naked and kalyx , meaning bud. |
| Gymnocalycium |
From the Greek words gymnos , meaning naked and kalyx , meaning bud. |
| Haageocereus |
Named in honour of Walther Haage , a German authority on cacti. |
| Hamatocactus |
From the Latin word hamatus , meaning hooked and the Greek word kaktos , meaning thistle. |
| Harrisia |
The generic name honours the Jamaican botanist, James Harris.v |
| Hatiora |
Previously known as Hariota . The present name is a near anagram of the previous name which honoured a 16th century botanist, Thomas Hariot . |
| Haworthia |
The genus "Haworthia" is named after the British botanist Adrian Hardy Haworth (1767–1833)
(For example: Haworthia magnifica var splendens) |
| Heliocereus |
The name is from the Greek , meaning sun cactus. |
| Homalocephela |
From the Greek words homalo , meaning even and kephale , meaning head. |
| Huernia |
The genus "Huernia" is named after the missionary Justus Heurnius (note the spelling of the genus name is wrong!) who introduced the firsts stapeliads in Europe in the XVII century. |
| Hylocereus |
Hylos is the Greek for Forest |
| Jasminocereus |
The name describes the fragrance of the nocturnal flowers which resemble that of Jasmine. |
| Lampranthus |
The name of this genus comes from the Greek words lampros , meaning bright or brilliant, and anthos , meaning flower. |
| Larryleachia |
The genus "Larryleachia" is named after Leslie (Larry) C. Leach (1909 - 96), an English born, self taught botanist in Zimbabwe and South Africa who specialised in the succulent Asclepiads and Euphorbias. (For example: Larryleachia cactiformis ) |
| Lemaireocereus |
For Charles Lemaire , a French cactus specialist. |
| Leocereus |
The name recognises a former Director of Rio de Janeiro Botanic gardens, Pacheco Leão . |
| Lepismium |
The generic name is taken from the Greek lepis , meaning a scale, and refers to the small scales set beneath the areole. |
| Leptocereus |
The name is derived from the Greek leptos , meaning thin, and applies in particular to the slender branches and stems. |
| Leuchtenbergia |
Named in honour of Eugene de Bauharnais , the Duke of Leuchtenberg and prince of Eichstadt (1781-1824), a stepson of Napoleon I. |
| Lithops |
Comes from the Greek lithos , meaning stone, and opis , meaning appearance. |
| Lobivia |
An anagram of Bolivia |
| Lodia |
Named after Prof. Giuseppe Lodi , by Alessandro Mosco and Carlo Zanovello. |
| Lophocereus |
The name is from the Greek lophos , meaning crest and obviously refers to the long bristly spines, especially those towards to the tips of the stems. |
| Lophophora |
The name is from the Greek lophos , meaning crest and phorein to carry, it seemingly refers to the tufts of hairs borne on the areoles |
| Maihuenia |
Name derived from the native "Maihuen" the Mapuche word for woman. |
| Malacocarpus |
Having soft fruits. |
| Mammillaria |
From the Latin word mammilla , meaning nipple or teat. |
| Matucana |
Named after the small Peruvian town 50 miles east of Lima, where they grow at 6,000-13,000 feet |
| Melocactus |
A shortened form of the original name Echinomelocactus . |
| Mila |
The generic name is an anagram of Lima, the capital city of Peru, near which the original species were discovered. |
| Monvillea |
The generic name honours M. Manville a French authority on cacti. |
| Myrtillocactus |
The name refers to the fruits which resemble those of the bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) . |
| Neolloydia |
For Francis Ernest Lloyd , an American botanist. |
| Neontocactus |
The "new" Notocacti. |
| Neoporteria |
For Carlos Porter , a Chilean entomologist. |
| Neoraimondia |
The name acknowledges the work of Antonio Raimondi , the Peruvian geographer. |
| Neowerdermannia |
The name of the genus honours the German botanist Erich Werdermann. |
| Nopalxochia |
The genus name is probably derived from the Aztek name nopal , referring to the flowers, which are similar to those of the Opuntia species. |
| Normanbokea |
Named after Norman Boke . |
| Notocactus |
The genus "Notocactus" derives from the Greek words notos meaning "south" indicating that the plants of this genus are from of the South (America) and the word cactus ( an old genus name)
(The genus name implies: "cactus of the south").
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| Nyctocereus |
The generic name is from the Latin nyct , meaning the night and refers to the nocturnal flowering of the species. |
| Obregonia denegrii |
This commemorates two Mexican politicians Alvaro Obregon and Senor Denegri , respectively President and Minister of Agriculture at the time the plants were discovered in 1923 by Alfred Frec. |
| Opuntia |
The generic name "Opuntia" refers to a Greek name used by Pliny for a diverse plant which grew in the region of the town of Opus in Greece
(For example: Opuntia basilaris var. caudata). |
| Orbea |
The generic name "Orbea" derives from the Latin word orbis meaning "circle, disc", referring to the thickened corolla part - the annulus -surrounding the flower centre.
(The genus name implies: "circle"). (For example: Orbea variegata). |
| Oreocereus |
From the Greek word oros , meaning mountain and the Latin word cereus , meaning a wax taper (candle). |
| Oroya |
For La Oroya , a mining town inf Peru. |
| Pachycereus |
From the Greek word pachys , meaning thick and the Latin word cereus , meaning a wax taper (candle). |
| Pachypodium |
The Greek word pachys , meaning thick, refers to the base (podium) of the succulent stems. |
| Parodia |
The genus is named after the Argentinian botanist Dr. Lorenzo Raimundo Parodi (1895-1966). |
| Pediocactus |
From the Greek words "Pedion" meaning "plain/level" referring to the general habitat of the plant on the Great Plains, and the word "cactus" ( an old genus name) (The genus name implies: "cactus of the plains"). (For example: Pediocactus despainii). |
| Pelecyphora |
Derived from the Greek pelekys meaning axe and phoros meaning bearing and reflects the appearance of the plant. |
| Peniocereus |
The name is derived from the Latin word penio , meaning tail. |
| Pereskia |
For Nicholas Claude Fabre de Peiresc , a French naturalist. |
| Pereskiopsis |
The ending iopsis is the generic name meaning like. This indicates the similarity of plants to Pereskia |
| Pfeiffera |
The name acknowledge Dr. Ludwig Pfeiffer , a German physician and botanist. |
| Phyllocactus |
The generic name is of Greek origin and means leafy cactus. (For example: Phyllocactus hybridus). |
| Pilosocereus |
The name is derived for the Latin word pilosus , meaning hairy and refers to the pseudocephalium. |
| Pseudolithos |
From the Greek words "pseudo" meaning false and "lithos" meaning stone, pebble referring to the appearance of the stems. (The genus name implies: "false stone"). (For example: Pseudolithos migiurtinus). |
| Pterocactus |
The generic name is from the Greek pteron , meaning wing, and refers to the winged seeds. |
| Pterocereus |
The generic name is from the Greek pteron , meaning wing and describes the wing-like ribs which are considered sufficiently characteristic to segregate these species from genera of other columnar cacti. |
| Puna |
The generic name "Puna" derives from the indigenous word "Puna" that indicate the western region up to 4500 m that extends from the Peru, going throughout Bolivia to the Argentinean North. Delimited at west by a costal chain of high volcanic picks and by the Cordillera mountainous chain to the east. The Argentinean Puna is the natural continuation of the Bolivian highland.
(For example: Puna bonnieae). |
| Quiabentia |
The plant is from Bahia, Brazil, where its native name is Quiabento . |
| Rapicactus |
From the Latin word for "turnip", referring to the shape of the root. |
| Rathbunia |
The generic name commemorates Richard Rathbun , the American naturalist. |
| Rebutia |
Named after the French nurseryman Pierre Rebut . |
| Rhipsalis |
From the Greek meaning wickerwork. |
| Rhodocactus |
The generic name is from the Greek rhodon , referring to the rose-like flowers that adorn all species of the genus. |
| Samaipaticereus |
The generic name comes from the Bolivian township of Samaipata . |
| Schlumbergera |
For Frederick Schlumberger , a cactus collector. |
| Sclerocactus |
The generic name "Sclerocactus" derives from the Greek word sclero meaning "hard ", "cruel" referring to the hard seed tegument or to the formidable spines, and the word cactus (an old genus name). ( The genus name implies: "hard cactus"). (For example: Sclerocactus glaucus). |
| Selenicereus |
Derived from the Greek meaning Moon Cereus. This indicates the nocturnal flowering habit. |
| Setiechinopsis |
The generic name is from the Latin seta , meaning bristle, and refers to the very long floral tube, which has bristle-like scales. |
| Stapelia |
The genus "Stapelia" was named in honour of Johannes van Stapel, who published drawings and descriptions of the first Stapeliae discovered (Orbea variegata). For example: Stapelia flavopurpurea |
| Stenocactus |
From the Greek words stenos , meaning narrow, and kaktos , meaning thistle. |
| Stenocereus |
From the Greek word stenos , meaning narrow and the Latin word cereus , meaning a wax taper (candle). |
| Stephanocereus |
The name comes from the Greek stephanos , meaning crown or corona, a feature of considerable prominence when the plants reach maturity. |
| Stetsonia |
For Francis Lynde Stetson of New York. |
| Strombocactus |
The generic name "Strombocactus" derives from the Greek word strombos meaning ""fir cone, spinning top" referring to the shape of the plants, and the word cactus (an old genus name)
( The genus name implies: "fire-cone cactus ").
(For example: Strombocactus disciformis). |
| Strophocactus |
The name comes from the Greek strophos , meaning turning and refers to the twisting and climbing habit of the plant. |
| Sulcorebutia |
The generic name is from the Greek sulcus , meaning furrow and refers to the furrows or grooves that occur between the somewhat Tuberculate ribs. |
| Tacinga |
The name is a near anagram of Caatinga , the habitat scrub country of northern Brazil |
| Tephrocactus |
The genus name "Tephrocactus" derives from the Greek adjective tephros meaning "ash coloured" plus the connective vowel "o" used in botanical Latin for Greek words , and the word "cactus" (an old genus name). (The genus name implies: "ash coloured cactus").
(For example: Tephrocactus geometricus ) |
| Thelocactus |
Thelo is the Greek word for nipple, which refers to the tubercles common in this Genus. |
| Toumeya |
Named after Dean James W. Toumey , by N.L. Britton and J.N. Rose. |
| Trichocaulon |
The generic name "Trichocaulon" derives from the Greek word thrix meaning ""hair, wool, bristle", and the word caulos meaning "stem of a plant"
( The genus name implies: "hairy stem "). |
| Trichocereus |
The generic name is from the Greek thrix , meaning hair or thread, and refers to the hairy flower areoles. |
| Turbinicarpus |
The name is derived from the Latin turbineus , meaning shaped like a spinning top, and the Greek karpos , which refers to the fruit. |
| Uebelmannia |
Named after Werner Uebelmann , the Swiss nurseryman who imported them into Europe. |
| Weberbauercereus |
Genus named after German botanist August Weber Bauer (1871-1948). |
| Weberocereus |
Named after the Frenchman Dr. Albert Weber (1830-1903). |
| Weingartia |
The name pays tribute to Wilhelm Weingart , the German cactus authority. |
| Wigginsia |
The genus "Wigginsia " is named in honour of Dr. Ira Wiggins |
| Wilcoxia |
The genus is named after General Timothy Wilcox , an enthusiast for desert plants. |
| Wilmattea |
The genus is named in honour of Ms. Wilmatte P. Cockerill and American plant explorer. |
| Wittiocactus |
The plant was named to honour the Brazilian plant collector, N. H. Witt . |
| Zygocactus |
From the Greek words zygo , meaning yoke or pair and kaktos , meaning thistle. |
