This species of pricklypear is from the southern Arizona, and we associate it with the Santa Rita Mountains south of Tucson. The pads are thin and purple, and mostly have glochids with few central spines. This is an upright species that tends to grow 4-6 feet high from a short basal stem. The flowers are yellow with reddish bases. These plants are hardy to at least 10F. These plants are rooted cuttings in one-gallon pots.