Clustering, body elongate, to 4 cm wide and 12 cm high, without milky sap. Tubercles prominent. Axils bare or with 1-2 bristles. Central spines 3-4, to 15 mm long, reddish brown, lower spine longer, sometimes weakly hooked. Radial spines 13-15, 5-10 mm long, white, needle-like. Flowers bright carmine-red or purplish to 4 cm long and 3 cm wide. Fruit brownish.

NW Mexico

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.