Delicate Prickly Pear is a small Opuntia, seldom reaching 12 inches in height or more than 2-3 feet across. The cladodes may have spines or may lack spines. Different populations of the species show different spine trends; areoles may have 0-5 spines each. Nearly spineless forms may have a few spines at along pad tips. Glochids are numerous, typically prominent. The flowers are yellow with red at the base of the inner tepals; flower color may be pale-yellow or dark yellow. All yellow flowers, or red-orange flowers, have been reported.