The areoles, which are woolly and elliptic to circular, contain clusters of 8 to 14 small radial spines that spread downward, measuring 1.5-4 mm.

Dr. Lyman Benson had earlier named a species that was then thought to be the same or that was similar (Pediocactus bradyi, discovered in Arizona in 1958 and which only occurs there).

Upon returning home to New Mexico, Mrs. Winkler sent a letter to local botanist Ken Heil along with a picture and habitat description.

Heil had started to undertake botanical work in southern Utah and located the population based on Mrs. Winkler's description.

In 1999 David Hunt listed the cactus as a provisionally accepted taxon under the name of Pediocactus bradyi subsp.

As with many other cactus species, its most serious threat relates to poaching by plant collectors (but is also threatened by off-road vehicle use).