Clustering and widely spreading, body globose or elongate, to 2 cm wide and 3 cm high, without milky sap. Tubercles prominent, conical. Axils bare. Central spine solitary, to 20 mm long, yellow or brownish-yellow, tips hooked. Radial spines 12-15, to 10 mm long, white, needle-like. Flowers yellow, 1.8 cm long. Fruit greenish.

NE Mexico

 

M. beneckei Ehrenb. from W Mexico has orange-yellow platter-shaped flowers.

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.