Cipocereus is a genus of just a handful of species of columnar Brazilian cacti. Its distinctness as a monophyletic group is supported by DNA evidence as well as seed and stem morphology. In C. bradei the spines are lacking or few and when present are short and black or dark brown. Therefore, it is the inflated-looking, glaucous-blue, clavate stems that are most characteristic. The nocturnal flowers have pale petals which surmount fleshy tubes and develop into dark, globose fruits that appear blue by virtue of the thick cuticular wax covering the black flesh. This species was originally described as Pilocereus bradei Backeb. & Voll and for a time was called Pilosocereus bradei (Backeb. & Voll.) Byles & Rowley. We offer HBG 104728, seedlings from plants in cultivation; however, the species is known only from the area around Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. $6.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 83 (2), March - April, 2011