Clustering and rapidly mounding, body elongate (although sometimes only globose heads prominent), to 8 cm wide and 20-30 cm high, with milky sap. Tubercles prominent, angular. Axils white woolly and bristly. Central spines 1-2, 12 mm long, brown or later whitish. Radial spines 8-9, 4-5 mm long, white. Flowers yellowish with reddish central stripe, 2 cm long. Fruit red.

S Mexico, Guatemala

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.