Habit, stems and spines
Leptocereus velozianus reaches 2–4 m in height and has a distinct woody trunk. The 2023 revision describes terminal segments 0.4–1 m long and 20–30(–35) mm in diameter, with 4–5 ribs. The surface is glossy green. The rib margins have deep, rounded indentations, with areoles at their lowest points. A typical spine cluster comprises 10–15 longer spines and 2 shorter ones at the areole base. Diagnostic features are assessed together because young spine colour and indentation depth can vary. [Hoxey et al. 2023b, pp. 36–42]
Dry forest on limestone
The original description was based on plants from the northwestern slopes of the Sierra de Bahoruco, in seasonally dry forest on limestone at 158–433 m. The revision extended the stated range to 90–450 m and included a population south of the range, near Oviedo. Co-occurrence with L. weingartianus was confirmed, and with L. paniculatus at another site. Co-occurrence by itself does not demonstrate hybridisation. [Hoxey et al. 2023b, pp. 36–42 in the 2023 revision, pp. 24–27 in the 2021 description] [Majure et al. 2021a, pp. 36–42 in the 2023 revision, pp. 24–27 in the 2021 description]
Flowers, fruits and phenology
The 2021 description gives a spiny flower about 7.6 cm long, with green outer and greenish-white inner perianth segments. The fruit remains spiny. In the 2023 revision, a ripe fruit measured about 55 × 45 mm and the seeds 3.2–3.4 × 1.8–2.0 × 1.2–1.4 mm. Herbarium material documented flowers and immature fruits in May, and ripe fruits in June, July and November. These are collection dates for particular specimens, rather than an established flowering calendar for all populations. [Hoxey et al. 2023b, pp. 36, 42 in the 2023 revision, p. 24 in the 2021 description] [Majure et al. 2021a, pp. 36, 42 in the 2023 revision, p. 24 in the 2021 description]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Neoabbottia veloziana [2-WWW]