It is a shrub-like cactus, very branched, which in nature can grow up to 2.5 m in height, while in cultivation it only grows up to 60 cm. It produces greyish-green stems, on which clearly visible tubercles and small linear leaves of about 1 cm in length are formed. Needle-like spines up to 5 cm long, of a brownish-orange color, which become almost black with age, emerge from downy elliptical areoles. In spring, it blooms with flowers ranging in color from greenish-yellow to purple-bronzed.