The spherical, shiny medium to light green shoots reach a diameter of up to 10 centimetres (3.9 in).

There are about eleven sharp ribs that are grooved transversely, with circular, white areoles.

The single, upwardly curved central spine is straw-colored and up to 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) long.

[3] Lobivia hertrichiana is widespread in the Cusco region of Peru, western Bolivia, and the Chilean province of Iquique at altitudes of 3000 to 3500 meters.

[4] The specific epithet hertrichiana honors the American William Hertrich (1878–1966) and curator of the Huntington Botanical Gardens in California.