Matucana formosa usually grows with globular, gray-green shoots that branch out from the base and reaches stature heights of and the same diameter. There are 20-30 narrow, slightly bumpy ribs.
Areoles have straight to slightly curved, stiff, dark brown spines have a darker tip and turn gray with age. The 1 to 4 central spines are and 6 to 11 radial spines growing up to long. The crimson flowers have a curved flower tube and a crooked mouth. They are long and have a diameter of . The length of the spherical, green and red fruits is . Their diameter is . ==Distribution==