Deciduous shrub to c. 2 m high, glabrous except for slightly hairy young shoots. Mature shoots angular, brown in second year. Spines 3-partite, the main axis 1-1.5 cm long, the lateral spines shorter. Lvs sessile, to 3 × 0.8 cm, often much less, oblanceolate, entire on adult shoots, subcoriaceous, pale glaucescent below, reticulate; margin revolute; base attenuate; apex mucronulate. Infl. sub-racemose or nearly fasciculate, dense, 10-20-flowered. Bracts ovate, much < pedicels. Bracteoles on pedicels similar but smaller. Perianth segments yellow, the largest 3-3.5 mm long; innermost whorl (petals) slightly shorter. Nectaries ± oblong, prominent. Stamens 1.7-2 mm long. Ovules 3. Stigma sessile or nearly so. Berry 5-9 mm diam., globose or subglobose, red, not pruinose.