[1] The species of the genus Brasilicereus grow as shrubs with upright, sometimes crooked, rarely branching shoots that reach heights of 1 to 4 meters.

The needle-like, brittle spines are whitish to grayish-brown and arise from areoles covered with gray or white wool.

The flower cup and tube are covered with fleshy scales, and the areoles are glabrous.

The dull green to purple fruits are spherical to pear-shaped, with a persistent flower remnant, and do not tear.

[2] As of September 2023[update], Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[1]