Xerophyte

Central Spines

2-7, 2-4 mm long, not clearly separated from radials, in juvenile (not flowering) specimens 2-3, increasing to 5-7 later, and bent upward.

Seeds

Dull black, bag-shaped, little keeled on the back, ca. 1,8 mm long, 1,6 mm wide, 1,2 mm thick.

Flower Buds

Heavily wrapped in white wool and pale, hardly stinging bristles 10-15 mm long.

Spines

Subulate, at first grey brown, becoming grey.

Ribs

15-27, crenate, 8-15 mm high, depending on age, notched, thickened at the humps.

Stem

Green, globular, 8-15 cm thick.

Radial Spines

12-18, 10-35 mm long, curved toward the stem and semi-spreading.

Areoles

10-20 mm long, 4-7 mm wide, very close (a few mm) from each other,sunken into the notches, pale brownish, becoming gray.