Xerophyte

Central Spines

3-4, 20-25 mm long.

Seeds

Black, strongly covered with sharp warts.

Cephalium

Depressed, discoid, 3 cm high and 4.5-5.5 cm in diameter. Bristles bright orange-red, in a regular pattern, protruding 6-8 mm above the yellowish-white wool.

Flowers

Small, 10-12 mm wide, bright pink The 6 stigma lobes and the stamens are light pink.

Spines

Thin, aciculate, on the whole curving upward, young spines orange-red becoming yellow as they age.

Ribs

10, protruding, densely areolated (11-12 areoles per 10 cm).

Stem

Relatively small, barrel-shaped (widest medially), 11-13 cm tall and 9-12 cm in diameter (without cephalium). Old plants frequently branched, branches often as long as 20 cm.

Radial Spines

14-16, 10-25 mm long.

Fruits

Obovate, 14-21mm long and 7-10 mm wide, protruding part dark pink, often lighter beneath.