Brownish to black spines towards the base of the shoots emerge from them, which have yellowish tips.

The mostly shiny lemon yellow, rarely white or red flowers appear in groups on the side of the shoots and open during the day.

[3] Echinopsis aurea is widespread in the Argentine provinces of Salta, Santiago del Estero, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Luis and Córdoba at altitudes of 500 to 1500 meters.

The first description by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose was published in 1922.

Nomenclatural synonyms are Lobivia aurea (Britton & Rose) Backeb.