Freely clustering, body globular, to 3 cm wide without milky sap. Tubercles obscure. Axils with 20-30 fine bristles. Central spine solitary with sub-central spines 6-8, 4-5 mm long, amber. Radial spines 50-60, 10-15 mm long, whitish, hair-like. Flowers pale pink, 14 mm long, 3-5 mm wide. Fruit purplish.

Mexico

var. ascensionis (Repp.) Glass & R.A. Foster.  Flowers 18-22 mm wide.

var. nominis-dulcis A.B. Lau.  Body to 5 cm wide. Flowers 18 mm wide.

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.