[1] The plants branch out from the base and usually form small cushions.

The cylindrical, keel-shaped warts on four sides at the base do not contain any milky sap.

The 9 to 24 radial spines are white with dark tips and are 6 to 8 millimeters long.

The funnel-shaped, light purple-pink flowers are 2 inches long and in diameter.

The club-shaped, pale scarlet-red fruits have a slightly sloping flower remnant, are 25 to 30 millimeters long and contain black, spherical seeds.