[2] Cereus fernambucensis grows shrubby, is richly branched and forms dense clumps up to 5 meters in diameter.

The cylindrical, segmented, pale green shoots, which often appear almost white, are 6 to 10 centimeters in diameter.

The four to ten needle thorns are yellowish brown to bright yellow.

The 6 to 7 centimeters long, narrowly oblong fruits are crimson.

[3] Cereus fernambucensis is distributed along the coast of northeastern Brazil.