Micranthocereus flaviflorus

Micranthocereus flaviflorus is a branching cactus that grows from its base, forming columnar, bluish-green shoots up to 75 cm tall and 4 cm in diameter. These shoots are characterized by approximately 16 slightly humped ribs. The oval areoles are densely covered with white wool that ages to gray, and bear hairs up to 1 cm long. The spines initially emerge yellowish-brown, becoming dirty white with age. There are about nine central spines, 0.6-1.3 cm long, with one more robust central spine reaching up to 2 cm. Numerous translucent radial spines are up to 5 mm long. The cephalium, a specialized flowering structure, is composed of white wool and hair-like spines up to 1 cm long. The tubular flowers are red to pinkish-red, or bright cream to yellowish, measuring up to 1.8 cm long and 6 mm in diameter. The bright red, berry-like fruits are 7-8 mm long and have a similar diameter.