The bunny ears cactus is a multi-branched semi-erect to erect cactus that grows to around 2-3 feet tall and spreads around 4-5 feet (2,3,4). The stem segments are soft velvety, and pale green. The stems do not grow from a central stem; they often grow in pairs hence the name bunny ears. The stems are 1-6 inches long. The areoles are distant and have 9-16 across the mid-stem segments. They are large and contain many glochids. The glochids are usually yellow, but depending on the cultivar, they can change (3,4). This species of cactus usually does not contain any spines, just glochids. These glochids easily dislodge, attach, and get stuck in the skin. The flowers are usually produced in abundance in the late spring, around April to May. They are perfect flowers and are yellow. The flowers usually grow from around 1.5 inches to 2 inches. The fruit begins to ripen a few months after the flower is produced, from June to August. The fruits are dark red when mature (3,4). They are nearly globular. However, be careful with the fruit it contains, any glochids and areoles, just like the stem segments (3).

The bunny ears cactus is commonly purchased from stores as a container plant but is invasive as a landscape plant. Once it is in the ground, it will cover a large area in a few years. Be careful when handling the bunny ear cactus. The glochids easily detach and become lodged in one's skin. (2,3,4,5). Research on medicinal uses for this opuntia species is limited. However, other opuntia species have been widely used for medical purposes.