Xerophyte

Spines

c.5, up to 2 cm long. We see that this description can be applied to all the synonyms of the type species taxa.

Ribs

8 (in older subjects), acute, with pronounced horizontal stripes. Each rib has a bump or a "chin" between successive areoles, and the position of of the fruit shows where the flower is formed on the upper side of the areole just below the chin.

Stem

Up to 5 cm in diameter, fresh green to bronze with a dull violet shimmer (depending on exposure).