[3] It is a columnar cactus, appearing either as a tree or shrub, ranging up to 4–5 meters in height.

The 6–7 cm (2.4–2.8 in) diameter stems are dark green, with 6-10 ribs.

The 1.5–3 cm (0.59–1.18 in) spines are in groups of 4-12, with no differentiation into central and radial types, and range from a brownish to grayish color.

The flowers are white, appearing in groups of 5-8 near the stem tips.

This cactus is known only from Yungas and Inquisivi provinces of La Paz Department, where it is found at elevations of around 1000 to 2300 meters.