Floriferous whitish columnar cactus with spiny stems and red flowers, growing shrubby over time as it branches at the base. Spines are dense and white or cream in color, obscuring the greenish blue color of the stem. 23-30 ribs, ~4 central spines, 30-40 radial spines. Flowers are typical for the genus (tubular, pollinated by hummingbirds) and a rich dark wine red. Drought tolerant. Best form and spines with strong light.

Spines deserve respect and careful handling. Any kind of hard impact with soft skin will be memorably painful long after the spines have been removed.

From southern Bolivia and northern Argentina. May be confused with the "old man" cacti from Mexico or the Andes. This plant was formerly known as Cleistocactus straussii.

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