[1] Ferocactus mathssonii is a solitary cactus with attractive hooked central spines, occasionally branching from the base.

The stems are flattened globular to egg-shaped, green to bluish-green with a grey glaucescence, up to 15 cm (5.9 in) tall and 8 cm (3.1 in) wide, with 9-13 prominent ribs and strongly tubercles, approximately 6-9 mm (0.35 in) broad and 9-15 mm (0.59 in) tall.

The spines are strong, tannish-white to greyish-pink or purple, slightly flattened, and do not obscure the stem.

The plant blooms from March to May, with flowers opening in the morning and closing partially at night, reopening for 2-3 days.

[2] The plant was first published without a description by Karl Moritz Schumann as Echinocereus mathssonii in 1893.