Kadenicarpus horripilus is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae.

The plant usually a single, protruding, straight, whitish central spine that is dark at the tip.

The 12 to 14 straight radial spines are white with a dark tip, protruding and 9 to 11 mm (0.35 to 0.43 in) long.

The elongated, greenish-red fruits turn yellowish-brownish when ripe.

[5] The specific epithet horripilus is derived from the Latin words horrere for 'shudder' and pilus for 'hair' and refers to the thorns of the species.