Spiny primitive cactus tree to 33 feet (10m) tall, usually around half of that. Broad, deciduous leaves and yellowish orange flowers. 1-2 leaves and 1-3 spines per areole on new growth. Flowers are solitary and terminal. Found in tropical deciduous forest from 0-1000m on Pacific slopes in southern Mexico to Costa Rica (including Guerrero, Oaxaca, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua). Spines have been used as needles in Guatemala. This is the only species of Pereskia native to Mexico. The species name means "lamp flower".

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