Large straggling shrub to 4.5 m. high branching from the base or occasionally a shrubby tree to 6 m. high; branches fleshy, erect and spreading, the lowest ± prostrate, loosely rebranching, 3(–4)-angled, to 12 cm. wide, deeply winged, deeply and ± regularly constricted into segments to ± 8 cm. long, usually broader than long, bluish green densely streaked with yellow-green; angles undulate, sinuately toothed, with teeth distant, to ± 4 cm. apart at the base of each segment, closer, to ± 1 cm. or less above, and towards the constrictions.. Spine-shields forming a continuous rounded horny grey margin 2–6 mm. wide, enclosing the flowering eye 5–20 mm. above the spines and enlarged at the base of the longest spines to 8 mm. thick; spines extremely robust, the longest (3–)4–8 cm. long, much shorter at the constrictions; prickles weak, 0.5–2 mm. long; flowering eye flanked by a pair of secondary spines 0.5–5 mm. long and occasionally another rudimentary pair just above.. Leaves deltoid, ± 1.5 × 2.5 mm.. Cymes (1–)3–7 crowded together, 1-forked with stout peduncles 8–12 mm. long and cyme-branches 3–7 mm. long; bracts rounded, ± 2.5 × 3.5 mm.. Cyathia ± 3.5 × 9 mm., with broadly funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely oblong, ± 1.8 × 4 mm., just touching, golden yellow; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.2 × 2 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles spathulate, laciniate, plumose; stamens 6.3 mm. long.. Female flower: perianth 3-lobed, with lobes ± 2 mm. long; styles 3 mm. long, joined for 0.8 mm., apices thickened, rugulose, bifid.. Capsule just exserted on a pedicel 3–5 mm. long, ± deeply 3-lobed, with truncate base and apex, ± 9 × 18 mm., green then reddening.. Seeds globose, 3.5 mm. in diameter, pale grey, speckled, smooth.
Dry, open or fairly dense Acacia-Commiphora bushland, often forming thickets, on sandy soils, silt and coastal dune remnants; rock outcrops; in tangle with Lannea, Grewia, Sansevieria on termite mound; at elevations from 60-1,200 metres.
Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
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