[2] Cochemiea wrightii grows as a solitary cactus with dark green, flattened, spherical to briefly cylindrical shoots measuring 3 to 8 cm (1.2 to 3.1 in) in diameter.

There are also up to 12 whitish marginal spines, 8 to 12 millimeters long, with the upper ones being shorter and dark-tipped.

The flowers are magenta to bright purple, rarely white, and up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long and wide, with perianth segments that are reflexed.

The egg-shaped to spherical fruits are purple, up to 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long, and contain black seeds.

[5] The specific epithet honors American botanist Charles Wright, who researched Texas and Cuba.