Succulent perennial with a fleshy root, subscandent to 2 m. high; stems and branches 4-angled, to ± 1 cm. thick, variously mottled, variegated or striped; angles with shallow to subprominent teeth to ± 3 cm. apart.. Spinescence brownish grey, the spine-shields elongated to 2.5 cm. long, decurrent to 2 cm. rarely reaching the flowering eye below; spines single to 1.5 cm. long, terminating in forked tips to 3 mm. long, weakly divergent; prickles to 2 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, ± 1.25 × 1.25 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, subsessile; bracts deltoid, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cyathia ± 3 × 4.5 mm., with funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely rectangular, ± 1 × 2.5 mm., contiguous, reddish; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1 × 1.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles spathulate, laciniate, deeply dentate; stamens 4.25 mm. long.. Female flower: ovary subsessile; styles 2 mm. long, joined at the base, apices thickened, rugose.. Entire capsule not seen, probably ± 2.5 mm. in diameter.. Seeds not seen.
Home