Ariocarpus fissuratus v. hintonii is a solitary geophyte cactus, rosette-shaped with triangular, rough, dark green verrucose tubercles. The flowers are pinkish-magenta up to 4 cm in diameter. It is an extremely slow growing species.
Variety with greener, elongated tubercles and a firm lizard-skin-like texture. Short yellow spines emerge from large woolly areoles. Green in shade, it turns purple in full sun.