It is a spreading shrub growing to 0.3–1.5 meters (1–5 ft) tall,[3] the branching stems covered in prickles and hairs, and bearing 1 to 5 sharp spines at intervals.

[4] Borne on a petiole several centimetres in length, the lightly hairy, glandular leaves are up to 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) long and are divided into about five deeply cut, bluntly toothed lobes.

Each flower has five sepals in shades of yellow-green or pale pink, orange, or yellow which spread into a corolla-like star.

At the center are five smaller club-shaped red petals and purple-red stamens tipped with yellowish or cream anthers.

The fruit is an acidic but palatable red to orange-red edible berry up to 1 cm long; it is usually covered in soft bristles.