Erect, rigid shiny shrub up to 1m; spines are grouped in 3's, two small and one larger. Stems bear whorls of needle-like false leaves (cladodes), mostly in clusters of five. Flowers 1 or 2 on an apical disc, are star-shaped and white; tepals and stamens spreading; fruits fleshy, red turning to black.

Repsprouts quickly after fire.

Jan van Riebeeck (1619-1677); first colonial administrator of the Cape noted the use of the shoots for culinary purposes.