SPINES: lower central spine hooked, 2.9-8.2 cm long, 0.75-2 mm diameter, mostly white, light brown, reddish-brown, dark brown or purplish-pink; upper central spine 2.6-6.2 cm long, mostly 1.5 mm wide, mostly white or rarely reddish-brown, flat, rhombic or rounded in cross-section. FLOWERS: inner tepals yellow. NOTES: See also parent taxon. Upper pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush communities: Coconino, Navajo cos.; mostly at higher elevations, 2000-2300 m (6500-7500 ft); May-Jun; UT. REFERENCES: Heil, Kenneth D., and Mark J. Porter. 2001. Cactaceae. J. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. Volume 33(1)