Loosely tufted succulent perennial with a thick fleshy root; stems sparsely branched, to 90 cm. long, 1–2 cm. thick, subquadrangular, greyish green, darker along the angles; angles with ± prominent teeth 1–2.5 cm. apart.. Spinescence red when young, becoming pale grey; spine-shields oblong-triangular, 2–4 × 2–3.5 mm. above the spines, decurrent to 10 mm. and 5–10 mm. above the flowering eye below; spines stout, to 2.5 cm. long, sometimes slightly curved outwards and joined at the base; prickles minute or rudimentary.. Leaves deltoid, 1.5 mm. long.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, with peduncles and cyme-branches ± 2.5 mm. long; bracts subquadrate, ± 1.5 × 1.5 mm.. Cyathia ± 2.5 × 6 mm., with broadly funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely elliptic, ± 1.25 × 2.75 mm., just touching, bright yellow; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1 × 2 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles fan-shaped, deeply dentate; stamens 3.75 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 2 mm. long, apices thickened.. Capsule subsessile, obtusely 3-lobed, ± 3.75 × 4 mm., purplish.. Seeds ovoid, 2.75 × 1.5 mm., grey, tuberculate.
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