Densely clustering, body globular 4-5 cm wide. Axils bare or with long woolly. 1-4 yellowish-brown central spines 5-12 mm long, 1-2 hooked, numerous (25-30) hair-like white radial spines 8-20 mm long. Flowers pale yellow, pinkish or white.

C Mexico

var. splendens (a name of no botanical standing) and var. multihamata Schelle refer to variants with radial spines very densely distributed.

Source: Thompson, A, ; Forbes, S.; Spencer, R. (1997). Cactaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.