It is a solitary cactacea of a cylindrical shape that does not exceed 30 cm in height. It has a robust stem, depressed at the apex, with numerous cylindrical tubercles, which are covered with a whitish down. From the yellowish areoles two wonderful central spines emerge, that are of a golden-yellow color with a brownish tip (the lower spine is up to 15 mm long, curved downwards, while the upper one is up to 5 mm long, curved upwards), accompanied by numerous thin radial spines of a creamy white color, about 2-4 mm long. During the flowering season, it produces spectacular pale pink inflorescences with a brighter central line.