These glossy green Arctopus echinatus leaves have their veins recessed on the dark to yellow green blades in picture. The reticulation of the secondary veins create a quilted appearance for the upper surfaces. The leaves are shaped ovate to nearly round, overlapping in their prostrate spreading. Yellow or brown marginal leaf spines vary in size.

This is a female plant. Its densely clustered flowers are surrounded by spine-tipped bracts that also have two inflexed lateral spines each (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; iNaturalist).