Succulent perennial with fibrous roots, spreading-erect or subscandent to ± 1 m. high, laxly branched; branches 4-angled, to 1 cm. thick, conspicuously blotched with dark and paler green; angles with prominent teeth 1–2 cm. apart.. Spinescence dark brown, dark red when young; spine-shields longitudinal to 1.5 cm. long, 2.5 mm. wide above the spines, decurrent up to 10 mm., usually separated up to 6 mm. or occasionally confluent; spines to 15 mm. long; prickles fine, to 5 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, with peduncles ± 2.5 mm. long; bracts deltoid, ± 1.2 × 1.2 mm.. Cyathia ± 2.5 × 5.5 mm., with funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely oblong, ± 1.5 × 2.8 mm., contiguous, yellow; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.3 × 1.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles fan-shaped, deeply dentate; stamens 3.8 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 2 mm. long, joined at the base, apices thickened, rugulose.. Capsule and seeds not seen.
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