Succulent perennial branching from the base, with a thick fleshy root; branches erect to 30(–50) cm. high, 7–10 mm. thick, sparsely rebranching, cylindrical, greyish green with darker stripes between the spine-shields, teeth very obscure, ± 2 cm. apart.. Spine-shields in 4 longitudinal series, elongated, ± 17 mm. long, decurrent to 15 mm.; spines single to 15 mm. long; prickles to 3 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, 1.5 mm. long.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, subsessile; bracts deltoid, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cyathia ± 3 × 5 mm., with funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely rectangular, ± 1 × 2 mm., contiguous, dull green; lobes subcircular, ± 1.5 mm. long.. Male flowers: bracteoles fan-shaped, ± 2 mm. long, deeply dentate; stamens 3.5 mm. long.. Female flower: styles ± 1.5 mm. long, joined at the base, spreading, apices thickened, rugose.. Capsule subsessile, obtusely 3-lobed, ± 3.5 × 4 mm., buff.. Seeds ovoid, 2.2 × 1.8 mm., grey, surface alveolate.
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