Xerophyte

Habit

It was originally described as solitary, but clusters heavily in cultivation producing a nice patch over time.

Central Spines

Up to 4 or absent, 3-10 mm long.

Roots

Long carrot-like.

Flowers

Several from the base, small clear-yellow, golden-yellow or orange, 2-4 cm long, up to 3 cm in diameter; pericarpels with tufts of white hair.

Ribs

Forming clearly divided into tubercles.

Stem

Globular, flattened, or somewhat elongated-cylindrical in cultivation, 1,5-2(-6) cm high, 5-6(-10) cm in diameter, varying in lengths, dark, brownish-green to dark green partially obscured by the spines.

Radial Spines

10-16, off-white, greyish, to light brown, pectinately arranged, lying against the surface and interlacing, stiff, needle-like, 2-16 mm long.

Fruits

Greenish to reddish 4 to 5 mm in diameter.

Areoles

Elongate, greyish.