Tree or shrub; bark grey, fissured; long shoots zigzag; lateral shoots zigzag, ending in a spur shoot and with lateral spur shoots as well, puberulous to tomentose; spines 1–3 at the base of spur shoots, up to 1.5(–2) cm long. Leaves clustered on spur shoots; blade broadly obovate, up to 4 x 3 cm, rounded to emarginate at the apex, cuneate at the base, glabrous to pubescent; petiole up to 5 mm long. Flowers white, glabrous outside, appearing with the leaves, in up to 6 cm long pubescent spikes. Fruit 2–3 x 1–2 cm, oblong-elliptic, reddish, glabrous; stipe c. 3 mm long.
