This species superficially resembles the Arizona rainbow cactus (Echinocereus pectinatus), but these plants grow farther east in New Mexico and Texas with a southerly extension into Mexico. The body of this offsetting plant is green, and the spines are multicolored and closely appressed against the body with no centrals. This form, minor, is smaller than the typical species. The flowers are relatively large and violet with a paler throat. These plants are seedlings in 4-inch pots.