[3] The joints are tumid, fragile, easily detached, oval, elliptical, or subglobose, 3–5 cm (1–2 in) long and nearly as thick as broad, bright green.

The areoles are 0.6–1.3 cm (1⁄4–1⁄2 in) apart, with whitish wool and a few white to yellow bristles, which are much longer and more abundant on older joints.

The fruit is ovate to subglobose with few spines or bristles, mostly sterile, up to 2.5 cm (1 in) long, with many seeds.

[3] It is native to much of western North America as well as some midwestern states such as Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan.

[8] It grows on outcrops, dry grassy knolls, and in sandy soil, along with sagebrush and junipers.