Beautiful slow-growing cactus with initially solitary posture that tends to group with age. Its stem, globose and flattened, has a brown-greyish color and slightly rounded ribs. The variegated shape of this cactus presents the typical lighter areas in the exact points where the chlorophyll is absent: these characteristics will never be the same from one plant to another, therefore each specimen will be absolutely unique and, for this reason, highly sought after by collectors. From its woolly white areolas sprout small robust thorns combed initially of dark brown color that with age tend to turn gray. In the spring period it generates pinkish-white flowers that often have petals shaded from white to reddish brown of the throat, which normally remain open up to twelve days.