Structure and identification
The stem is solitary, spherical or short-columnar, and grey-green. Broad tubercles lie against the stem and are flattened above. Numerous lateral spines form a dense tangle near the apex. There are several central spines, thick, curved and distinctly projecting. Their colour changes from dark to greyish with age. Large yellow flowers have a dark red throat, and fruits remain olive or greenish. [Dicht and Lüthy 2005, p. 145–146]
Habitat and variation
The monograph documents a site in the El Diamante region of Durango, on limestone gravel on hills. The authors compare its armature with C. pycnacantha and C. tripugionacantha, highlighting the projecting central spines and overlapping, appressed tubercles. This set of traits also links it morphologically with C. salinensis and C. difficilis. [Dicht and Lüthy 2005, p. 145–146]