Spiny climber up to 3m; stems pale and ribbed, spines hooked. False leaves, cladodes (specialized stem structure resembling and performing function of the leaves), are stiff, 4-6 in fascicles, terete. Bears racemes of fragrant star-like white flowers, tepals spreading; fruits are berries.

Greek: sparagmos = a rending, tearing: referring to the sharp spines of most species in this genus.