Tufted succulent perennial to 10 cm. high and 20 cm. in diameter, branching densely from the base, with a thick fleshy root; branches to 10 cm. long and 8–10 mm. thick, cylindrical, not rebranching, with shallow teeth 1–1.5 cm. apart in 4 longitudinal series.. Spinescence whitish; spine-shields oblong-triangular, to 6 × 2 mm., decurrent to 4 mm.; spines single, to ± 12 mm. long; prickles absent or occasionally rudimentary.. Leaves sharply deltoid, ± 1 × 1 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, subsessile; bracts deltoid, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cyathia ± 2.5 × 4 mm., with funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely rectangular, ± 1 × 2 mm., contiguous, yellow; lobes subcircular, ± 1 mm. in diameter.. Male flowers: bracteoles fan-shaped, finely dentate; stamens 3.5 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 2 mm. long, joined at the base, spreading, with thickened rugose apices.. Capsule subsessile, obtusely 3-lobed, ± 3 × 4 mm., buff.. Seeds ovoid, 2 × 1.6 mm., pale brown, surface wrinkled.
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