In general, this species is similar to E. mammillaris or heptagona, but it combines a very short main stem with a tuberous main root, so that it forms a roughly cylindrical body which is almost completely hidden in the ground.
The branches are more or less upright, 1-3 cm in diameter and 8-40 (-70) cm long; they have 6-14 angles, with or without weak spines which -if present- are spreading and 1-2.5 cm long.
The plants flower in March-August and are found in open scrubland on lower gravelly slopes in the Worcester-Montagu-Swellendam area.
As witnessed by the pictures, the plants may be very variable, depending on the habitat conditions.
