Dwarf succulent perennial with large tuberous root ± 10 cm. in diameter, and a much reduced underground stem; branches numerous, weakly erect to ± 30 cm. high, or often semi-prostrate to 50 cm. long, simple or occasionally rebranched, grey-green with conspicuous oblique paler streaks, 3(–4)-angled, 1–4 cm. wide, deeply winged, constricted at irregular intervals into ± obovate segments 2 cm. or more long; angles toothed with teeth irregularly spaced 1–5 cm. apart.. Spine-shields narrowly oblong, 1–2 mm. wide, extended 1–5 mm. above the spines to enclose the flowering eye, decurrent for 5 mm. or more or sometimes contiguous especially on wider portions of the branch; spines 1–20 mm. long, very irregular in length with the shortest at the constrictions; prickles vestigial; flowering eye flanked by a pair of secondary spines 0.5–1.5 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked with peduncles and cyme-branches to 4 mm. long arranged in a vertical plane; bracts rounded, ± 2 × 3 mm.. Cyathia ± 4 × 6 mm., with cup-shaped involucres, all parts yellow; glands transversely elliptic, ± 1.5 × 3.5 mm., just touching; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.5 × 2 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles laciniate; stamens ± 5mm. long.. Female flower: styles 3.5 mm. long, joined for 1.5 mm., apices thickened, distinctly bifid.. Capsule sessile, sharply 3-lobed, ± 4 × 6 mm., green flushed with red along the sutures.. Seeds subglobose, 2.5 mm. in diameter, buff, mottled, smooth.
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