[2] Matucana aureiflora usually grows solitary with flat spherical, shiny dark green shoots up to 13 cm (5.1 in) in diameter.

There are 11-27 blunt ribs made up of flat protuberances.

The areoles have up to four central spines, which can also be missing, are 1.2 to 2.5 cm (0.47 to 0.98 in) long and 8 to 14 comb-shaped radial spines reach a length of 0.7 to 1.8 cm (0.28 to 0.71 in).

[3] Matucana aureiflora is found in the Peruvian region of Cajamarca at altitudes of 2800 to 2900 meters.

Further nomenclature synonyms are Submatucana aureiflorus (F.Ritter) Backeb.