Micranthocereus violaciflorus typically grows with minimal or no branching, reaching heights of 1 meter, and its shoots are almost entirely covered in fine thorns.

The plant has a central spine up to 2.5 centimeters long and up to 25 whitish to light brown radial thorns, which are often attached to the shoots.

[2] Micranthocereus violaciflorus is found in the northern part of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and rocky areas.

The specific epithet "violaciflorus" comes from the Latin words "violaceus" (violet) and "-florus" (flowered).