The variegated shape of this cactaceae has yellow, orange-red streaks or spots where there is a lack of chlorophyll; such stains will never be identical in plants making each of them unique and for this reason highly sought after by collectors. In its normal form it is a small solitary cactus with a globose, reddish-green stem. It has well furrowed ribs where, at the ends, are formed fluffy white areolas from which emerge small needle-like spines of brown color. During the warm periods of the year it generates, at the apex, multiple funnel-shaped flowers of white-pink or violet color.