[3] Cipocereus bradei grows with branched shoots that reach a height of up to 3.5 meters and a diameter of 8 to 9 centimeters.

The 1 to 2 stinging, black central spines point downwards or upwards and are up to 3.5 centimeters long.

Plants are found growing along with Arthrocereus rondonianus, Pilosocereus aurisetus, and Discocactus placentiformis.

Originally described as Pilocereus bradei in 1942 by Curt Backeberg and Otto Voll, the specific epithet honors German botanist Alexander Curt Brade, who worked at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden.

[6] In 1991, Nigel Paul Taylor and Daniela Cristina Zappi reclassified the species into the genus Cipocereus.