[2] Soehrensia formosa grows solitary at first, later occasionally branching out from the base and then forming groups.

The spherical to cylindrical, light green to blue-green shoots reach heights of growth of up to 1.5 meters with a diameter of 25 to 50 cm (9.8 to 19.7 in).

The broad, funnel-shaped, red to orange-red to yellow flowers appear near the top of the shoot and are open during the day.

[3] Has 5 Accepted subspecies;[2] Soehrensia formosa is widespread in the Bolivian department of Tarija, in the Argentine provinces of Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan and Mendoza as well as in the adjacent northeast of Chile in the high altitudes of the Andes of up to over 4000 meters.

[4] The specific epithet formosa is derived from the Latin word formosus for 'stately' and refers to the appearance of the plants.