It produces a basal leaf rosette of fleshy, upright green leaves of up to 120 centimetres (4 feet) in length, with jagged edges and ending in sharp, thick spines of 3–6 cm (1+1⁄4–2+1⁄4 inches) long.

Blooming from June to August,[2] the flowers are pale yellow and green; they are 4–5 cm (1+1⁄2–2 in) long with six segments and stamens,[2] growing on branches from the upper third of the flower spike, which can be up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall.

[3][4][5] The plant is native to southern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, Sonora and Chihuahua.

[8] It requires a large pot but is very tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including temperatures of around −10 °C.

[9] The plant was used by Native Americans for food, drink, fiber, soap, medicine and to make lances.