| General Description | A matted bush or shrub in the shape of a diamond, hence its common name Diamond Cholla. |
| Cultivation | Fine or sandy soils. |
| Habitat | Desert floor and washes at an altitude of 30-600 m. |
| Leaf Description | Spines are tan in colour and only appear in the areoles of the joints, approximately 1-3 per areole. Spines do not obscure the branches, are straight and slightly point downwards, 4-5.5 cm in length. |
| Flower Description | Small flowers 1.2 cm in diameter, apricot or brown in colour, 3 mm long filaments green in colour and yellow anthers, 1.5 mm long. |
| Fruit Description | Brown or tan in colour, almost bur-like with its dense spines. |