The aboral or upper surface is covered in flat plates, each of which bears several short, blunt spines.

The stipe bears blunt spines and scales towards the base.

The arms are cylindrical in cross section and the surface of the lateral scales bear long, sharp, transparent spines.

All segments have soft tubercles with stiff ends bearing black spines.

Often, the hemipenis bears spines or hooks, in order to anchor the male within the female.

The areoles bear flexible yellow spines and white wool.

Often it bears spines or hooks, to anchor the male within the female.

In some species they bear hard, sharp, spines at their tips.

The body is slender, and the legs bear large spines.

The body of the plant is ridged and lined with many areoles bearing spines.