Shrubs, 10-30+ cm (stems becoming thorns). Leaf blades cuneate to clavate, 3-12(-20+) × 1-4+ mm, margins entire or distally toothed [lobed], faces ± arachnose, glabrescent, often ± stipitate-glandular distally. Peduncles 5-15+ mm. Phyllaries 5-8(-12+), 4-8 mm (margins and tips often stipitate-glandular). Ray florets 5-8(-13+); corollas yellow to orange, laminae 4-8(-15+) mm. Disc florets 12-20+; corollas yellow to orange, 3-4 mm. Cypselae 8-10 mm (usually 3-winged). 2n = 20.

Flowering Mar. Disturbed places; 1800 m; introduced; N.Mex.; Africa.

As of 2003, Osteospermum spinescens is known in the flora from a single plant that has persisted near Silver City for at least five years.