Interesting low, dwarf succulent with branching, globose stems, added one ball at a time, atop a subterranean main stem. Stems age from green to gray or light brown.

The growth habit of E. globosa resembles Tephrocactus and other New World Opuntia subfamily members, but it can be easily distinguished once it flowers, producing yellow or greenish yellow bisexual cyathia on short or long peduncles, with elaborate fingers fringing the edges. (This feature was the basis for the name of the genus it was originally assigned to, Dactylanthes.) In habitat plants grow in low mats, half buried by soil.

Other Euphorbia species and hybrids of globosa are frequently confused with it in the trade. Double check the appearance of a plant to confirm its identity. Plants with clear, defined ribs are not globosa. A separate species called pseudoglobosa looks similar (also with swollen roots) but has very different cyathia: sessile, small, without fringes. A closely related species called patula has the same habit and produces similar cyathia, though its stems are narrower and more elongated, and it usually has rhizomatous branching (which is absent with globosa).

This plant requires strong light for the best form and will quickly stretch, forming non-globose stems, if light is lacking.

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