[2][3] Its common names include higo chumbo and Puerto Rico applecactus.

Harrisia portoricensis grows upright with only a few branches and reaches heights of 2 to 3 meters.

The 13 to 17 grayish white thorns have a darker tip and are 2 to 3 centimeters long.

The yellow, spherical to egg-shaped fruits reach a diameter of 4 to 6 centimeters.

The specific epithet portoricensis refers to the occurrence of the species in Puerto Rico.