[2] This cactus gets its common name from the striking red coloration of its defensive spines and flowers.

The areoles are light gray bearing 7 to 13 central spines that are red, flattened, and up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long, with a slightly curved to hook-shaped yellow tip.

Additionally, there are eight to twelve white radial spines, occasionally twisted and around 6 cm (2.4 in) long.

[3][4] There are four accepted subspecies:[5] Ferocactus gracilis is native to southern Sierra San Pedro Martir, south to Punta Prieta, and northern Baja California, Mexico, growing at elevations of 10 to 30 meters.

It thrives in rocky hillsides, outwash fans, silt flats, and gravelly plains, often alongside other desert plants like Mammillaria dioica, Cochemiea hutchisoniana, Echinocereus engelmannii, Pachycereus pringlei, Stenocereus thurberi, Fouquieria burragei, Cylindropuntia cholla, Idria columnaris, Lophocereus schottii, and Stenocereus gummosus.