Small succulent forming diffuse to dense clump to 150 mm diam., often spreading underground and forming new clumps. Stems 20-100 mm long, 7-15 mm thick (above ground), decumbent, often with slender runners spreading horizontally underground for up to 300 mm then rising up and becoming thicker and erect on emerging from soil, cylindrical, green to brown; tubercles 5-10 mm long, conical, arranged into 6 angles along stem, tapering gradually into lanceolate acuminate leaf-rudiment 4-6 mm long subtended by stipular denticles ±0.5 mm long. Inflorescence arising near base of stem, of 1-4 flowers opening in gradual succession, with slender bracts up to 5 mm long; pedicel 15-25 mm long, 1 mm thick, spreading with ascending apex holding flower facing upwards; sepals 4-5 mm long, 1-2 mm broad at base. Corolla 20-35 mm diam.; outside pale green; inside shiny to dull reddish to dark purplish brown becoming paler around centre, sometimes spotted with these colours on yellow to cream background on lobes with darker purple-brown non-spotted centre; annulus 2.5-5.0 mm tall, 8-12 mm broad, circular, widening slightly towards base, covered with fine papillae <0.5 mm long; lobes 10-15 mm long, 7-10 mm broad at base, ascending to spreading, convex above from lax longitudinal fold along midrib, ovate, acuminate, margins usually with vibratile purple clavate cilia 0.5-2.5 mm long for up to two thirds of length. Corona 4.5-6.5 mm diam., reddish brown; outer lobes forming circular to pentagonal disc at or just inside mouth of tube; inner lobes <1 mm long, with obtuse ascending-spreading dorsal projection ±1 mm long, somewhat paler than outer.
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A succulent plant. The plant is leafless and it is the stems that are used. The stems are succulent. They are 8 cm long and 1.3 cm thick. They are bluntly 6 angled with pointed teeth. It has runners or stolons. The plant forms a clump. The flowers occur as 3 or 4 together. They open one after the other. The flower tube is 3 cm across.
Dwarf succulent decumbent perennial herb. Corolla glabrous or minutely puberulous or papillate on annulus, lobes not replicate, ciliate or glabrous. Flowers dull green outside, rich purplish chocolate inside; corona chocolate-red, inner coronal lobes dull orange-red.
It is a subtropical and tropical plant. They need warm conditions. In Swaziland it grows in the lowveld. It is best in rich, sandy, well-drained soils. It needs a protected, shaded position. It is damaged by frost or drought. It re-grows after fire. In southern Africa it grows between 1,000-1,600 m above sea level. In Namibia it grows in places where the dry season is 6-11 months. It can grow in arid places.
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