Densely branched succulent perennial, spreading to form tangled masses to 15 cm. high and 50 cm. in diameter; branches 4-angled, to 25 cm. long and 8 mm. thick, with branchlets spreading at right-angles, dark glossy green with a paler longitudinal stripe down each face; angles shallowly toothed with teeth 5–10 mm. apart.. Spinescence dark brown; spine-shields oblong, ± 2 mm. wide, to 1.5 mm. long above the spines and decurrent to 5 mm. and to shortly above the flowering eye below; spines to 18 mm. long; prickles absent or rudimentary.. Leaves acutely deltoid, ± 1 × 0.7 mm., obscurely denticulate.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, with peduncle and cyme-branches 1–2 mm. long; bracts ovate, 1 × 0.75 mm.. Cyathia ± 2 × 2.5 mm., with cup-shaped involucres; glands transversely oblong, ± 0.75 × 1.25 mm., contiguous, brownish yellow; lobes subcircular, ± 0.75 mm. long.. Male flowers: bracteoles deeply laciniate; stamens 2 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 1 mm. long, joined only at the base, apices scarcely thickend.. Capsule exserted on a reflexed pedicel to 4 mm. long, deeply 3-lobed, ± 2 × 2.5 mm., buff with purple-marked sutures.. Seeds ovoid, 1.25 × 1 mm., red-brown, minutely and densely rugulose.
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