Sturdy much-branched succulent shrub erect to 2.5 m. high; branches 4–5(–6)-angled, to 2–3 cm. thick, uniformly green or sometimes faintly variegated with darker blotches around the spine-shields, ± constricted at intervals of 10–20 cm.; angles straight to sinuately toothed, with teeth 1–2 cm. apart.. Spine-shields to 5 × 3 mm. above the spines and forming a continuous horny margin along the angles ± 3 mm. wide; spines stout, to 1 cm. long, reduced to 2–3 mm. long on the uppermost branches of taller plants; prickles rudimentary to 1 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, ± 2 × 1.5 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, subsessile, with stout cyme-branches ± 1 mm. long; bracts deltoid, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cyathia ± 2.5 × 5 mm., with cup-shaped involucres, all parts eventually dark red; glands transversely oblong, ± 1.3 × 2.8 mm., contiguous, yellowish red quickly becoming crimson; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.2 × 1.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles fan-shaped, deeply laciniate, plumose; stamens 4 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 1.8 mm. long, joined at the base, apices much thickened, rugose, slightly bifid.. Capsule exserted on a reflexed pedicel ± 5 mm. long, deeply 3-lobed, ± 3.5 × 5.5 mm., reddish black.. Seeds subglobose, ± 2 mm. in diameter, buff, shallowly and closely tuberculate.
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