Areoles elliptic, 4-5 × 2 mm; adaxial spines tending to be directed toward tip of plant; abaxial (including abaxial lateral) spines directed toward base of plant. Flowers 15-17 × 5-6 cm.

Flowering late spring; fruiting summer. Chihuahuan Desert, sandy or gravelly loams, along washes, on creosote bush flats or gentle slopes; 1200-1500 m; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.; Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, Zacatecas).

AREOLES: elliptic, ca. 4-5 mm long, 2 mm wide, the apical spines tending to be directed forward, the basal ones, backward.

FLOWERS: 15-19(-21) cm long, 5-6(-9.5) cm wide.

FRUITS: 3-5(-8) cm long, 2-3 cm wide. 2N = 22.

NOTES: See also parent taxon for further description. Chihuahuan Desert, sandy or gravelly loams, along washes and on creosote-bush flats or gentle slopes: Cochise Co.; 1200-1500 m (3900-5000 ft); May-Jun; NM, TX; Chih., Coah., Dgo., Son., Zac., Mex.

REFERENCES: Pinkava, Donald J. 1995. Cactaceae. J. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. 29(1): 2, 6.