From central Baja California, this species is unique among Ferocactus for having straight, or nearly straight, central spines. These plants are propagated from material originally from Cerro Potrero. Those spines generally are needle-like, but because of hybridization with other Ferocactus (particularly F. peninsulae), some individuals have flattened spines with slight terminal hooks. The flowers are yellow-orange. These plants are seedlings in 8-inch pots.