Densely branching succulent shrub to 1.3(–2) m. high and 1.5 m. in diameter; branches 4-angled, 1–3 cm. thick, uniformly greyish green; angles sinuately and shallowly toothed, with teeth 1–1.5 cm. apart.. Spinescence greyish buff; spine-shields oblong-triangular, to 2 × 3 mm. above the spines, broadly decurrent from half-way to shortly above the flowering eye below; spines to 13 mm. long; prickles to 3.5 mm. long.. Leaves acutely deltoid, ± 2 × 2 mm.. Cymes solitary producing 2–4 subsessile lateral cyathia; bracts subquadrate, ± 1.8 × 2 mm.. Cyathia ± 2.5 × 5 mm., with cup-shaped involucres; glands transversely oblong, ± 0.8 × 2 mm., scarcely spreading, contiguous, dull red; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 0.8 × 1.3 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles laciniate; stamens 3 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 1.8 mm. long, apices thickened and distinctly bifid.. Capsule sessile, obtusely 3-lobed, ± 3.5 × 4 mm.. Seeds subglobose, 1.8 × 1.7 mm., brown, tuberculate.
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