The species epithet guelzowiana honors the German cactus collector Robert Gülzow of Berlín.

Cochemiea guelzowiana is a perennial plant that grows fleshy, globose, at first solitary and then forming groups.

The plant has 1-6 thin central spines, needle shaped, yellowish red, 8 to 25 millimeters long.

[2] This species is endemic to Mexico where it grows west of Nazas and north of Navidad Mine in Indé Municipality, Durango.

Its natural habitat are hot deserts and grassy mountain tops on rocky outcrops at elevations of 1,300–1,700 metres (4,300–5,600 ft) above sea level.