Succulent perennial with rhizomatous stems becoming erect to 30(–45) cm. high, branched only from the base; branches sharply 4-angled, 5–8 mm. thick, variegated with mid-and pale-green; angles straight, without teeth.. Spinescence black, extremely slender; spine-shields 5–15 mm. long, decurrent to just above the flowering eye below; spines rarely developed, or not more than 1 mm. long and situated 1–2 mm. below the apex of the spine-shield; prickles 1–3 mm. long, extremely fine, clasping the stem.. Leaves acutely deltoid, ± 1 × 1 mm.. Cymes solitary, subsessile, 1-forked; bracts deltoid, ± 1.25 × 1 mm.. Cyathia ± 2.5 × 4.5 mm., with funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely oblong, ± 1 × 2.5 mm., brownish yellow; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.5 × 2 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles fan-shaped, deeply dentate; stamens 3.5 mm. long.. Mature ♀ flower, capsule and seeds not seen.
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