There are also rare individuals reported by Big Bend National Park where pure white flowers are found instead of the usual red.

The color will turn reddish brown when ripe, and the areoles on the fruit can be easily removed.

It prefers a similar living environment to other cactus such as desert, river and higher mountains.

For example, United States; southern Trans-Pecos and the Big Bend region, Terrell Co. and lower Pecos River, Val Verde Co. (2,500–5000 ft).

Mexico; Coahuila, East Chihuahua, West edges of Nuevo León, north Zacatecas, Northeast Durango, and N San Luis potosí.