Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small cactus that usually grows solitary or in groups.

Central Spines

1 to 3, strong, dark, frequently red; the upper spine usually attains a length of 3 cm and is often hooked and thickened basally.

Roots

Thick taproot.

Flowers

Arising from the basal tubercles on the side of the plant, up to 7 cm wide, yellow or orangish, but also pink or red. The hymen (or throat ring of the flower) is orange to red to brown, thickened at the edge and glossy.

Spines

Of different length, usually straight or slightly bent, directed upward, dark brown to blackish in youth, later grey.

Ribs

10-14, compressed, running downward and divided into slanting tubercles whose arrangement creates the impression of a wavy line.

Stem

Soft, about 5 to 7 cm across, gray-green to dark green, at first spherical, egg-shaped, then elongate as they ages. The crown is slightly depressed and covered with whitish wool

Radial Spines

Approximately 10 or less, about 1 cm long.

Areoles

3 mm across, with grey-white felt.