Long and numerous close set joints up to three inches long growing almost at right angles. Often spineless, they usually have one spine, or sometimes two or three on the oldest part of the plant. Spines are light colored and up to 2 inches long, enclosed in a sheath which varies from off-white to yellowish to reddish brown. Sheath is very sharp and catches easily in any fairly soft object. Small round areoles with abundance of yellowish glochids and short white felt.
Small flowers are greenish or yellow, up to one inch wide.
Blooms along stems May and June. Has areoles able to produce new plants. Many varieties with different colored or shorter or longer spines, and brown glochids. Has the most slender stems of all southwestern chollas. Acquired the name because its bright red fruits provide a colorful contrast to the brown deserts during the Christmas season.