A small bushy shrub. It grows 1-2 m high and 1-2 m wide. The small branches are cylindrical. They are stiff and bluish-green. They often have spines at the tips. There are normally no leaves. The flowers are in spike like groups. These are about 1 cm long and with 30 flowers. The flowers are very small and purplish. The fruit are 0.5-0.8 cm long and green. They are fleshy.