Tuberous-rooted perennial succulent, scandent to 3 m., sparsely branched; branches cylindrical, 5–10 mm. thick, with 3–6 ribs (angles) without teeth.. Spinescence purplish brown; spine-shields 1–3 cm. long, contiguous and forming longitudinal strips 1–3 mm. wide, separated by grooves ± 1 mm. wide; spines 1–4 mm. long, recurved, immediately below the flowering eye; prickles vestigial.. Leaves lanceolate, ± 1.5 mm. long.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, sessile; bracts subcircular, ± 1.25 mm. in diameter.. Cyathia ± 2 × 4 mm., with broadly funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely rectangular, ± 1 × 2.5 mm., contiguous, brownish red; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1 × 1.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles laciniate; stamens 3.5 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 1 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, pale brown, tuberculate.
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