Perennial succulent with a small tuberous root, much branched and erect from 20 cm. high or subscandent to 3(–5) m. and sparsely branched; branches cylindrical, 3–10 mm. thick, with 5–10 ribs (angles).. Spinescence greyish brown covered in minute bristly hairs on young growth; spine-shields 1–3 cm. long, contiguous and forming longitudinal strips ± 2 mm. wide, completely covering the stem, separated only by very narrow grooves; spines very fine, 1–3 mm. long, clasping the stem immediately below the flowering eye, present only on young growth; prickles absent.. Leaves linear, 2–3 mm. long, minutely hispid.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, sessile, with all parts bright crimson; bracts subcircular, ± 1.25 mm. long.. Cyathia ± 2 × 3.5 mm., with broadly funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely rectangular, ± 0.75 × 1.75 mm., contiguous; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 0.75 × 1.25 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles laciniate; stamens 3 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 1.25 mm. long, joined at the base, apices thickened, rugulose, minutely bifid.. Capsule sessile, obtusely 3-lobed, ± 2.5 × 3.5 mm.. Seeds subglobose, 1.5 mm. in diameter, grey, tuberculate.
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