[3] Stenocactus crispatus grows up to 20 cm (7.9 in) tall and 10 cm (3.9 in) wide is a bluish-green to dark olive-green colour and globose obovoid or short-cylindric in habit.

It has 3-4 very long flattened central spines 1–10 cm (0.39–3.94 in) in length that are variable in colour from white through yellow to an almost black dark brown.

[3] It is similar to Stenocactus multicostatus and equally variable, although often with a darker stem and with less numerous ribs, usually 30-60 as opposed to 50-100 for S.

[4] Its flowers are pale pink with purple or violet mid-veins 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, well developed and covered with imbricating scales.

Stenocactus crispatus is found in Hidalgo, Queretaro, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Puebla in north and central Mexico.