A solitary stem of between two and four meters is formed, leaves are perisitent and the old leaves are visible on the stem. Leaves are spreading and recurved, they are a dull green to green in color, leaf surfaces may have a few reddish spines present, leaf margins are armed with sharp red spines. The flowers can be single or branched into 2 to 4 racemes that are strongly tapered.Buds are a yellow to orange color while the flowers are a yellow color, flowers are upturned with the stamen and style protruding from the mouth of the flower.The main flowering period is from July to September, plants have been known to flower at other times of the year as well.

Avoid frost. Needs more water during spring and fall when actively growing.