Small, spiny, usually clustering globose cactus with purplish red to pink flowers from north-central or northeastern Mexico. Extremely variable. Some plants in cultivation are solitary and tend to grow larger stems. 1-4 central spines, reddish or white with reddish tips. Radial spines are fine and hairlike, and are sometimes missing. Red fruit. From Guanajuato, Tamaulipas, and Querétaro.

Four formerly recognized subspecies can be distinguished based on differences in spines, flowers, and origin. These subspecies are no longer recognized, but the names can still be useful to distinguish cultivated forms.

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