Solitary or eventually clustering, body globular or elongate, to 10(-15) cm wide and 15 cm high, with milky sap. Axils woolly and bristly. Tubercles prominent. Central spines 5-7, 18-20 mm long, golden-yellow, recurving and interlacing. Radial spines 15-20, 5-8 mm long, yellow, fine and needle-like. Flowers purple, 10 mm long. Fruit purplish.

C Mexico

Occasionally listed as a cultivar name.

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.