Matmillaria matudae is a cactus with cylindrical stems, quite tidy in youth that tends to recline as it elongates, giving the old plant a characteristic sprawling habit. The stems are up to 12 inches (30 st) long and up to 1.2 inches (3 st) in diameter. It has 18 to 20 radial spines and one central spine per areole. The radial spines are very short, white with a yellowish base, while the central spine is up to 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) long, pointing upward, white to nearly black, becoming brownish or grayish with age. Flowers are brilliant pink to purplish-red and up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) long.