Tree to 10(–15) m. high, with a trunk to ± 30 cm. thick and grey fissured bark marked with usually 6 vertical rows of persistent spines and pit-scars resulting from fallen branches; seedlings 3–4-angled; branches spreading to 3(–5) m., rebranching several times to form a rounded crown; terminal branchlets fleshy, 3–4-angled, to 15 cm. wide, deeply winged and deeply constricted into ovate to subcircular segments to 15 cm. long or more, elongated with undulate margins on young plants; angles sinuately toothed with teeth 1–3 cm. apart.. Spine-shields forming a continuous horny margin 1.5–8 mm. wide; spines robust, 0.5–2 cm. long or to 3.5 cm. on young plants; prickles to 1 mm. long; flowering eye usually flanked by a pair of secondary spines to 2 mm. long.. Leaves ovate, ± 2 × 2 mm.. Cymes 3–8 crowded together, 1-forked, with stout peduncles and cyme-branches 3–8 mm. long; bracts rounded, ± 3.5 × 6 mm.. Cyathia 4–4.5 × 8–10 mm., with cup-shaped involucres; glands transversely oblong, ± 2 × 4.5 mm., just touching, golden yellow; lobes subquadrate, ± 1.5 × 1.5–2 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles spathulate, laciniate; stamens 5.5 mm. long.. Female flower: perianth 3-lobed, with lobes 2–3 mm. long; styles 3.5 mm. long, joined for 1/3 at the base, apices thickened, rugose, ± bifid.. Capsule exserted on a pedicel to 6 mm. long, deeply 3-lobed, ± 9 × 19 mm., base and apex truncate.. Seeds subglobose 3.5–4.2 mm. in diameter, buff with dark brown speckles, smooth.
Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
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