Glabrous much-branched perennial shrub, sprawling to 1.5 m. high or scrambling in bushes and small trees to 4 m. high; branches spreading, ± succulent, green, ± 1 cm. thick, with dark brown leaf-scars becoming ± prominent on older branches.. Leaves sessile, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate to 4 × 1 cm., reflexed, caducous.. Cymes in 4–8-branched umbels surrounding a central sessile cyathium, with simple rays to 3 cm. long, rarely more; bracts deciduous or persistent, green or red, broadly deltoid to 5 × 6 mm., with apex occasionally ciliate, the umbellate bracts ovate to 15 × 10 mm.. Cyathia on peduncles to 4 mm. long, ± 3 × 7.5 mm., with funnel-shaped involucres, the central cyathium a little larger and usually deciduous, developing only ♂ flowers; glands 4(–5), or 6–8 on the central cyathium, subcircular to transversely elliptic, ± 3 × 4.5 mm., ± reflexed; lobes subquadrate, ± 1 × 1.5 mm., margin ciliate, with deeply notched apex.. Male flowers: bracteoles very numerous, spathulate, deeply laciniate, plumose; stamens 5 mm. long.. Female flower: ovary pedicellate; styles ± 3 mm. long, joined at the base, with spreading, deeply bifid apices.. Capsule obtusely 3-lobed, ± 5.5 × 7 mm. on a pedicel to ± 8 mm. long.. Seeds ovoid, 3 × 2.5 mm., slightly laterally compressed, pale greyish brown, faintly mottled, almost smooth; caruncle 1.3 mm. across.
Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
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