The crested shape of this cactaceae has the typical fan shape, extremely compact and fleshy, which makes each exemplar absolutely unique, never identical to another and for this reason very appreciated by collectors. In its normal form it is a cactus with a columnar shape that tends to branch at the base. It has a smooth, pale green epidermis. It is very recognizable for its yellow and woolly areolas that grow on well-defined ribs, forming a continuous line. From them grow two types of thorns: the radial ones, small, thin and of yellow color, and the central ones, long, thick and of greyish color.