Stems are bluish-gray with 8 or 9 rounded ribs, shallow grooves. Has felted areoles, each bearing 7 to 9, 3cm long spines. Night blooming with tubular, white flowers with green edges.

Contains: anhalidine, anhalonidine, coryniene, 3,4-dimethoxyphenethylamine, mescaline, 3-methoxytyramine, N-methyltyramine, tyramine.

Fruiting Habits:
The fruit, in late winter, is smooth skinned. The tangy lemony rind is edible raw. The seed mass of black seeds imbedded with a white pulp, is not usually eaten. The entire fruit can also be eaten cooked.