Xerophyte

Tubercles

More or less long, conical somewhat spaced, often with a basal “chin” elongate toward the tip but flattened laterally on top, 10-45 mm long, 7-18 mm wide, 10-50 (or more) mm high.

Flowers

Usually yellow.

Spines

Very variable in length, depending on the clone, dark, usually black-brown and brownish central spines, however the spines are often longer than in Thelocactus rinconensisSN|10887]]SN|10887]].

Ribs

Rather indistinct, divided into strong tubercles.

Stem

Spherical up to 15 cm tall and 20 cm across. It can have either a light glaucous-grey or green epidermis sometimes tinged with purple.

Areoles

The areoles are at the tips of tubercles.