Small cactaceae with solitary posture M. compacticaulis in its variegated form represents a unique exemplar in its genre. The variegations in the plants are never the same, for this reason we would never have two identical plants and that’s why it is very sought after by collectors. Its green stem has numerous conical tubercles, on whose apex small and woolly white areoles are formed. From a circle of thick white and thin thorns emerge brown thorns slightly more robust. The flowering occurs in June, generating on the stem of the plant small pink-magenta flowers, arranged in the shape of a ring.