This perennial cactus species has a bushy growth habit. It produces segmented, rounded and flattened stems which are densely covered in white areoles with tiny white, yellow or red-brown bristly hair-like spines (called glochids). These cause intense irritation to skin, making Opuntia unsuitable as houseplants. The showy flowers are bowl-shaped, coloured yellow with a red tinge, and measure approximately 4-5 cm wide.