Succulent perennial with a fleshy rootstock, densely branched forming tufts erect to 20 cm. high, ± 30 cm. in diameter, sometimes sprawling, rarely stoloniferous; branches cylindrical, ± 8 mm. thick, greyish green with a pale longitudinal stripe between the spine-shields; branches with very shallow teeth to 1.5 cm. apart, in 4 longitudinal series.. Spinescence yellowish when young becoming bronze or copper-coloured; spine-shields oblong-triangular, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm. above the spines, decurrent for 2–8 mm.; spines 10–17 mm. long; prickles 0.5–1.5 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, ± 1.25 × 1 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, with peduncles and cyme-branches 1–2 mm. long; bracts subquadrate, ± 1.25 × 1 mm.. Cyathia ± 2.5 × 5.5 mm., with funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely elliptic, ± 1.25 × 2 mm., just touching, bright yellow; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1 × 1.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles spathulate, deeply dentate; stamens 3.5 mm. long.. Female flower: styles ± 1.5 mm. long, joined at the base, apices thickened.. Capsule subsessile, obtusely 3-lobed, ± 3.25 × 4.5 mm., purplish.. Seeds ovoid, 2.2 × 1.5 mm., brown, lightly tuberculate.. Fig. 97/1.
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