The cylindrical warts do not produce milky juice, and the axillae are covered with bristles.

The 30 to 60 radial spines are hair-like, arranged in two rows, white with dark tips, and 6 to 10 mm (0.24 to 0.39 in) long.

The flower is 2 to 4 cm (0.79 to 1.57 in) wide and pink to lavender in color.

The fruit is red, shiny, 1.2 cm (0.47 in) long and fleshy and contains many black seeds coated in corky arils.

[4] In 2021, Peter B. Breslin and Lucas C. Majure reclassified it into the genus Cochemiea.