Laxly branched succulent shrub erect to 2 m. high, or more densely branched when damaged; stem 2–5 cm. thick near the base; branches 4-angled, 1–2.5 cm. thick, green with darker mottling especially along the angles; angles sinuately-toothed, with teeth 1–2.5 cm. apart.. Spinescence brownish grey; spine-shields elongated, ± 3 × 2 mm. above the spines, decurrent to just above the flowering eye below, often with a short spine to 1.5 mm. long at the base, eventually forming a continuous horny margin; spines 5–10 mm. long; prickles 0.5–2 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, subsessile; bracts broadly deltoid, ± 1.75 × 2 mm.. Cyathia ± 3 × 8 mm., with broadly funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely rectangular, ± 2 × 4.5 mm., contiguous, deep yellow with a red margin; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.5 × 2.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles spathulate, deeply dentate; stamens 4.5 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 3.5 mm. long, joined at the base, apices thickened, rugose.. Capsule sessile, obtusely 3-lobed, ± 3.5 × 6 mm.. Seeds ovoid, 2.3 × 2 mm., dark brownish grey, minutely and shallowly tuberculate.
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