Micranthocereus violaciflorus

Micranthocereus violaciflorus is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to Brazil.

Description
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 shoots can have a diameter of up to 4 centimeters and feature 11 to 16 sharp-edged ribs. Oval areoles, covered in whitish to brownish hairs, are present. 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. The cephalium is made up of dense white to brown wool and reddish bristles. The tubular bluish-purple flowers are up to 2.3 centimeters long, and the urn-shaped fruits are greenish-red, measuring 1 to 1.1 centimeters in length and diameter.

Distribution
Micranthocereus violaciflorus is found in the northern part of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and rocky areas. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Taxonomy
It was first described in 1969 by Albert Frederik Hendrik Buining. The specific epithet "violaciflorus" comes from the Latin words "violaceus" (violet) and "-florus" (flowered).