What is the scientific name of the Christmas cactus?

The scientific name consists of a genus name and a species name. The genus name for all Christmas or winter flowering cactus plants is Schlumbergera or Zygocactus. The genus name comes first, and is followed by any one of six species names or any one of countless hybrid information. For example, Schlumbergera truncata is the winter flowering crab or lobster cactus. Other scientific names include Schlumbergera opuntioides and Schlumbergera russelliana.

Most cultivated Christmas cactus plants are hybrids. Examples of common Schlumbergera hybrids include Schlumbergera 'Firecracker', Schlumbergera 'Gold Charm', Schlumbergera 'Joanne', Schlumbergera 'Lilac Beauty', and Schlumbergera 'Maria'.