Cephalocereus columna-trajani grows with non-branching green shoots and reaches heights of 6 to 10 meters with diameters of up to 40 centimeters.

The clearly lateral, narrow, 2 to 3 meter long pseudocephalium extends to the top of the shoot and is usually directed north.

The tubular to bell-shaped flowers are white to light yellow and have a length of up to 7.5 centimeters and the same diameter.

[3] Cephalocereus columna-trajani is found in xerophyllous scrub habitat in the Mexican states of Oaxaca and Puebla at elevations between 600 and 1800 meters, where it forms dense forests.

[4] The first description as Cereus columna-trajani was published in 1837 by Ludwig Georg Karl Pfeiffer.

[5] The specific epithet columna-trajani comes from Latin, means 'Trajan's Column' and refers to the stately nature of the species.