[5] This cactus has a spherical or cylindrical shape, a green or bluish color, and a waxy texture.

[6] This plant grows on mesa slopes with rough, rocky soils littered with cobbles and gravel.

The desert shrub plant community includes such species as Atriplex confertifolia, Pleuraphis jamesii, Artemisia nova, and Achnatherum hymenoides.

[3] This cactus grows throughout the Uinta Basin of Utah, mainly in Uintah County along the Green River and its tributaries.

[3] Threats to the species include damage to the habitat during hydrocarbon exploration, poaching, off-road vehicle use, and grazing.