Extra-spiny barrel cactus from Baja California (Cedros and San Benito Islands; western Baja California Sur). Green stems; ~10 flattened, ridged, curled central spines; 4-12+ radial spines. Both spines and flowers are variable. Spines may be yellow, red, gray, or white (first two are seen in cultivation and grow side by side in habitat). Flowers may be yellow, orange, or red. Fruit is a basally dehiscent reddish yellow, fleshy capsule with black seeds inside (released through a hole at the bottom). Roots are thick and ropey.

Subspecies chrysacanthus (yellow/orange flowers) comes from the islands, subspecies grandiflorus (orange/red flowers) comes from the peninsula.

Solitary, slow growing, and uncommon in cultivation. May be (somewhat) self fertile.

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