Several varieties of this particular species occur, and it may hybridize with other prickly pears, making identification sometimes tricky.

The spines are brown, reddish-brown, yellowish, or gray, usually darker brownish toward the base than the tip, and often over 3 cm in length.

At the base of the spine cluster is a round tuft of easily detached yellowish to reddish or brown bristles called Glochids.

In some regions occasional plants may produce flowers of other colors such as orange, pink, or magenta.

Both the fruit and the fleshy pads provide an important food resource for desert wildlife.