Shrubs or vines, clambering, 3–10 m. Stems to 3 cm diam., spiny; areoles to 15 mm diam., largest on basal portion of stem. Leaves lanceolate to ovate or oblong, 4.5–11 × 1.5–5 cm, 0.5–1 mm thick. Spines of 2 kinds; primary spines (= first formed) 2 per areole, recurved, clawlike, 4–8 mm; secondary spines to 25 per older areole, straight, 10–35 mm. Flowers to 70 in terminal or lateral inflorescences, fragrant, 3 × 2.5–5 cm; pedicels 5–15 mm; tepals perigynous; scales and areoles on prominent to inconspicuous tubercles; perianth whitish to light pink. Fruits yellow to orange, spheric, not angled, 40 × 15–25 mm, never proliferating. Seeds lenticular, 4.5–5 mm diam., glossy. 2n = 22.