Cactus

Cactus L., nom. rej. (1753)

🌵 Author(s)

Carl Linnaeus

Etymology

Greek kaktos, a prickly plant found in Sicily, possibly the cardoon or artichoke thistle (Cynara cardunculus). The only cactus genus accepted by Linnaeus, who shortened the name from Echinomelocactus. Used by Britton and Rose instead of Melocactus, but now considered a synonym of Mammillaria. Still in use as a vernacular name for all species in the family Cactaceae, which takes its name from this genus.

For a short nomenclatural history of this genus, see Roy Mottram, Cactician 4: 45-46. 2014.