[1] Matucana paucicostata is a clustering pant, dark gray-green, spherical when young, short cylindrical with age and has a diameter of 4–7 centimetres (1.6–2.8 in) and a height of 7–15 centimetres (2.8–5.9 in).

The spines are curved, somewhat flexible, reddish-brown turn gray with age.

It is widespread at an altitude of 1,800–2,800 metres (5,900–9,200 ft) above sea level.

[3] The epithet paucicostata derives from the Latin paucicostatus, meaning having few ribs.

Nomenclature synonyms are Submatucana paucicostata (F.Ritter) Backeb.