[2] It is native and endemic to central and northern Mexico to within 100 miles (160 km) of the Arizona and New Mexico borders where it grow from 5,000 to 10,000 feet (1,500 to 3,000 m) on rocky slopes, open shrub lands, woodlands and mixed with other cactus and succulents.

[3] The flattened stem segments are fleshy, round and blue-grey in colour.

[3] Yellow, sessile flowers with a fleshy base are produced on the edges of the upper stem segments.

[3] These are followed by barrel-shaped fleshy fruits which are pink or purple and up to 8 cm (3 in) long.

[4] The species was first formally described in 1837 in Enumeratio Diagnostica Cactearum hucusque Cognitarum.