The most common columnar cacti in the Caribbean, this species also occurs on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It has olive-green to nearly blue-green epidermis between the ribs, and the growth form is tree-like to shrub like with many stems. Numerous yellow-gray spines line the ribs and make for a very beautiful plant that, unfortunately, is frost sensitive. The flowers are light red in color. These plants are rooted cuttings in 5-inch pots.