The apex is loosely covered with white-yellowish areole felt, topped by an upright hyaline-yellow spine.

It has 8 to 9 ribs, sharply separated at the apex and running straight down, about 6 to 8 mm (0.24 to 0.31 in) high.

The 7 to 9 radial spines spread horizontally, are evenly distributed, and usually 5 to 7 mm (0.20 to 0.28 in) long.

Accepted subspecies:[2] Echinocereus viereckii is found in the Mexican states of Nuevo León and Tamaulipas.

Erich Werdermann first described the species in 1934, and the specific epithet viereckii honors German plant collector Hans-Wilhelm Viereck.