Spreading, sparse (3-8-branched) shrublets up to 100 mm high, up to 400 mm in diameter. Stems 3-4 mm in diameter, spreading and becoming pendulous; nodes 6-10 mm long. Leaves sessile, broadly ovate, 20-35 x 20-35 mm, flat to slightly biconvex, decussate and spreading at right angles but slightly ascending and curved forward, bases fused and amplexicaul, surface smooth, glaucous to whitish green, margins entire; hydathodes concentrated toward margins, dorsiventrally flattened, abruptly constricted to about 4 mm near fusion towards base, slightly convex, glaucous grey-to white-green; apex subacute, sheath formed by partial fusion of clasping leaf bases. Inflorescence a short rounded thyrse up to 40 mm long, up to 65 mm in diameter with many, 5-merous pedicellate flowers in dichasia; peduncle indistinct due to gradual transition to bracts; lower bracts 8 x 5 mm, becoming smaller (2 x 1 mm) on inflorescence, triangular ovate. Flowers star-shaped, up to 4.5 mm in diameter, white; pedicels 2-5 mm long. Calyx: lobes triangular 1.3 x 0.8 mm, apices acute. Corolla: lobes 3.5 x 1.0 mm, lorate-lanceolate, recurved, apices obtuse to subacute. Stamens: anthers dark maroon, 0.2 mm long; pollen yellow; filaments 2 mm long. Squamae truncate, 0.3 mm in diameter, 0.2 mm high, thick and fleshy, yellowish orange. Carpels 2 mm long, with bottle-shaped ovaries tapering into outward pointing short styles, inner side of ovary asperulous.
Home