Etymology - From the Greek stephanos meaning crown or ring - this refers to the circular cephalium around the top of mature plants.Stephanocereus is a genus that is comprised of just two species. They are both found in Bahia, Brazil where they were not described until 1908 and 1923. These obscure plant consist of cylindrical stems with numerous, shallow ribs. The stems are somewhat obscured by the numerous spines and hairs arising from the closely-spaced areoles. Flower arise from a terminal cephalium and are nocturnal white and tube-shaped. After each flowering season, the stem continues to grow and thus leaves a ring at the location of each past cephalium. Fruits are fleshy and blue with persistent dried perianth parts.
The two species are virtually unknown in cultivation, with some examples found in a few Botanical Gardens which emphasize cacti. Few hobbyists seem interested in growing them.