There are always 8 ribs, which may be straight or twisted into a slight spiral. Spines are white, gray, purple, and pink, and are flat on top or nearly round. Anomalous plant with unusually broad, flat, dark spines. This slow-growing cactus requires limestone gravel. Pink flowers in March-April.
Fruit is a dry brown oval capsule hidden in white fuzz.
Most plants at this locality are old, but there are a few young ones, including several buds on older plants. E. h. var. This page is designed and maintained by Lorena B. Moore.