Tree to 4(–6) m. high, with a simple or rarely branching trunk to 15 cm. in diameter, with smooth grey bark and 4 longitudinal spiny ridges 1 cm. high; branching fairly loose, forming a ± rounded crown; primary branches to 2 m. long, spreading horizontally then upturned at the tips, with whorls of secondary branches which branch again; terminal branchlets fleshy, 4-angled and ± winged, 2–4 cm. wide, slightly constricted at intervals of 10–20 cm., bright green, occasionally variegated; angles sinuately toothed, with teeth ± 1 cm. apart.. Spine-shields oblong-triangular to 2 × 1.5 mm. above the spines, narrowly decurrent to just above the flowering eye below and soon contiguous; spines 3–10 mm. long; prickles ± 0.5 mm. long, recurved, at first triangular in shape, flexible and clearly attached to the leaf-base, later hardening and persisting after the leaf has fallen.. Leaves deltoid, ± 1.2 × 1.5 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, subsessile; bracts broadly ovate, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cyathia ± 1.5 × 3.5 mm., with broadly cup-shaped involucres; glands transversely oblong, ± 0.7 × 1.8 mm., with undulate margin, not touching, yellow; lobes subcircular, ± 1 mm. in diameter.. Male flowers: bracteoles plumose; stamens 3.5 mm. long.. Female flower: ovary subsessile, deeply 3-lobed; styles 3 mm. long, joined for 0.8 mm., apices distinctly bifid, slightly thickened.. Capsules and seeds not seen.
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