Xerophyte

Central Spines

Absent or 1, rarely 2-3, 10-20 mm long (10-50 mm long in var. rhodotricha).

Seeds

Without striking differences.

Ribs

Vertical, very acute, crenate (clearly notched) 20-30 mm hight.

Stem

Elongated 30-40 cm tall (up to 1.5 metres tall in var. rhodotricha)

Radial Spines

2-8, subulate, 4-15 mm long (30-30 mm long in var. rhodotricha)

Fruits

Red, with white woolly hair (hairs brownish-red in var. rhodotricha).

Areoles

3-7 mm long, sunk in the ribs and bearing less felt.