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Spiny, succulent shrub, up to 2 m high. Branches 5-7-angled, constricted into segments 70-150 mm long. Segments 30-50 mm broad near their base and narrowing gradually upwards. Spine shields united into narrow, continuous, horny margin. Flowers yellow.
Cyathia with involucres 3 × 4.5–5 mm; glands 2.5–3 mm wide, transversely oblong, touching, yellow; lobes c. 1.5 × 1.5 mm, subquadrate, fimbriate.
Cymes solitary, simple with lateral cyathia vertically arranged; peduncle and cyme branches c. 2 mm long; bracts 1 × 2.5 mm, deciduous.
Spine shields forming a continuous horny margin c. 2 mm wide along the angles; spines 5–13 mm long; prickles rudimentary or absent.
Male flowers: bracteoles c. 3 mm long, plumose; stamens 4 mm long.
Capsule c. 9 mm in diameter, acutely lobed, pedicel 0.5–1 mm long.
Densely branched succulent shrub-like plant to c. 2 m high.
Female flower: styles 1.5 mm long, united for one-third.
Seeds c. 2.5 mm in diameter, subglobose, brown.
Stem much reduced.
