The 5 to 8 central spines are golden yellow to reddish brown and 1 to 3 centimeters long.

The 18 to 28 light yellow marginal spines are 3 to 8 millimeters long.

The spherical, dark green fruits later turn orange and reach a diameter of up to 1 centimeter.

[1] Cleistocactus hildegardiae is widespread in Bolivia in the Tarija Department in the Eustaquio Méndez Province.

[2] The specific epithet hildegardiae honors the nursery owner Hildegard Winter (1893–1975), Friedrich Ritter's sister.