Structure and identification
Stems branch at the base. Individual heads are cylindrical, with a sunken apex and little wool. Tubercles are conical or cylindroconical. Pale lateral spines remain short, while one of the darker central spines dominates in length. Glands in grooves and axils are orange or reddish. The monograph describes flowers as pure pale yellow and fruits as olive green. [Dicht and Lüthy 2005, p. 58]
Habitat and variation
Sites in the monograph lie in Querétaro and adjacent San Luis Potosí. The species grows on limestone rocks, in pastures and forests, in places with organic matter accumulated in crevices. Despite its resemblance to C. glassii, the current list accepts both names as separate species. [Dicht and Lüthy 2005, p. 58]