Succulent perennial with a large tuberous root and a reduced underground stem producing numerous branches erect to 50 cm. high, or weaker branches spreading; branches rebranching above, (3–)4–5-angled, 1.5–5 cm. wide, constricted at irregular intervals into ± obovate segments 2 cm. or more long, greyish green with paler oblique streaks; angles compressed, sinuately toothed, with teeth irregularly spaced 0.5–3.5 cm. apart.. Spine-shields contiguous forming a horny margin 0.5–3 mm. wide, occasionally separate at the branch bases; spines sturdy, 0.5–2.5 cm. long, very irregular in length with the shortest at the constrictions; prickles rudimentary; flowering eye flanked by a pair of secondary spines 0.5–2.5 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, ± 2 × 2 mm.. Cymes 1–3 in a horizontal line, 1-forked, with stout peduncle and cyme-branches to 2.5 mm. long arranged in a vertical plane; bracts rounded, ± 3 × 3 mm.. Cyathia ± 4.5 × 7.5 mm., with cup-shaped involucres, all parts golden yellow; glands transversely oblong, ± 1.5 × 4 mm., just touching; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.5 × 2.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles laciniate, plumose; stamens 6.5 mm. long.. Female flower: perianth obvious as several acute lobes 0.5–1.5 mm. long; styles 4 mm. long, joined to halfway, apices thickened, distinctly bifid.. Capsule sessile, distincdy 3-lobed, with truncate base, ± 4 × 7.5 mm., green flushed with red.. Seeds subglobose, 2.5 mm. in diameter, grey, mottled, smooth.
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