The five to seven (rarely from three) laterally radiating radial spines have a length of up to 2 cm (0.79 in).

The broad, funnel-shaped flowers appear laterally on the shoots and open during the day.

They are yellow to orange with a darker reddish purple throat.

[3] Echinopsis chrysantha is widespread in the Argentine province of Salta in the Quebrada del Toro at altitudes of 2000 to 3000 meters.

[4] The specific epithet chrysantha comes from Greek and means 'with (golden) yellow flowers'.