The crested shape of this cactacea has the typical compact fan arrangement, which makes each specimen absolutely unique, never identical to another and for this reason beloved by collectors. In its normal form it is a globular cactus with a solitary habit, which can occasionally cluster at the base. Its grayish-green stem, concave at the apex, has multiple well-furrowed ribs, equipped with slightly fluffy white areolas. The thorns are robust, curved and red in color which, with age, tend to whiten.