Sprawling succulent perennial with main stem to 7.5 cm. high and 20 cm. in diameter, the apex usually ± at ground-level from a short thick fleshy root; branches produced successively from the apical growing point, spreading, to 1 m. long and 2 cm. thick, sparsely rebranched when mature, cylindrical, green with yellow-green longitudinal stripes and obscure teeth to 4 cm. apart in 5 longitudinal series.. Spinescence very robust, pale grey; spine-shields oblong-triangular, to ± 2.5 × 1 cm., decurrent to 2 cm.; spines single, to 7 cm. long; prickles to 8 mm. long.. Leaves ovate, ± 3.5 × 2.5 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, with peduncles and cyme-branches ± 1.5 mm. long; bracts deltoid, ± 1.75 × 1.75 mm.. Cyathia ± 3 × 7.5 mm., with broadly funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely rectangular, ± 1.5 × 4 mm., contiguous, yellow; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.5 × 2.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles fan-shaped, dentate; stamens 5 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 2 mm. long, free to the base, apices thickened.. Capsule on a pedicel 2 mm. long, deeply 3-lobed, ± 3.25 × 5 mm., purplish.. Seeds globose, 2 mm. in diameter, pale brown, lightly areolate.
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