Glabrous, thorny shrub reaching up to 3 meters in height, with reddish, spinescent, and often twisted branchlets. This species is typically deciduous, shedding its leaves in response to climatic conditions, and frequently appears leafless or sparsely foliated. Leaves are trifoliate or pinnate, 1.5–3 cm long, with hairy, cuneate-lobed leaflets that are usually dentate and sessile. Flowers are tiny and greenish, arranged in short axillary or terminal panicles measuring 2–3 cm. Each flower has five ovate-lanceolate petals about 2 mm long, blunt-tipped, and five stamens. The fruit is a glossy red drupe, glabrous, flattened on the sides, and up to 7 mm in length.