Xerophyte

Habit

It is a cespitose compact cactus species with very few to 60 stems crowded in cushion-like clumps.

Seeds

Rugulose.

Flowers

Campanulate, 4-7 cm long, 3-4 cm broad when expanded, cerise-pink to magenta. Perianth-segments obtuse. Floral tube and ovary clothed with clusters of unequal, white acicular spines 5-12 mm long, embedded in short, felt-like white wool.

Spines

All white to ashy grey, radials 0-16, acicular to narrowly subulate, spreading and interlocking, unequal, 2-3 cm long. Central spines 1-4, stouter than the radials, 2.5-5 cm long.

Ribs

10-20, undulate, low.

Stem

Oblong, 10-20 cm long.

Fruits

Obovoid 2-2.5 cm long, red, clothed with clusters of acicular readily deciduous spines.