| General Description | A small erect shrub, its long and short spines gives it an odd yet striking appearance. Usually found growing in the shelter of larger shrubs. Vibrant red fruit appear in the winter, giving it its Desert Christmas Cactus name. |
| Cultivation | Prefers dry soils. |
| Habitat | Desert mesas, flats, valleys and plains at an altitude of 60-900 m. |
| Leaf Description | Grey spines, tinged with pink on occasion, straight however point downward and only 1 per areole, 2.5-5 cm in length. |
| Flower Description | Small flower, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, greenish-yellow or bronze in colour, 6 mm filaments and yellow anthers 1 mm long. |
| Fruit Description | Vibrant red, fleshy, smooth and juicy, spineless, obovoid, 12 x 10. 5 mm. |