Densely branching succulent perennial forming tangled masses 20–30 cm. high and to 1.5 m. in diameter; branches trailing to 30 cm. long, 1–1.3 cm. thick, 4-angled, uniformly dull green; angles ± distinctly toothed, with rounded teeth 1–1.5 cm. apart.. Spinescence grey; spine-shields triangular, ± 2 mm. wide and 2–4 mm. long above the spines, 2–6 mm. decurrent and about halfway to the flowering eye below; spines to 8 mm. long; prickles 0.5–2.5 mm. long.. Leaves deltoid, ± 1.5 × 1 mm.. Cymes solitary, 1-forked, subsessile; bracts subquadrate, ± 2 × 2 mm.. Cyathia ± 3 × 6.5 mm., with broadly funnel-shaped involucres; glands transversely rectangular, ± 1.8 × 3.5 mm., contiguous, yellow; lobes transversely elliptic, ± 1.5 × 2.5 mm.. Male flowers: bracteoles fan-shaped, dentate; stamens 4.5 mm. long.. Female flower: styles 4 mm. long, joined at the base, apices thickened.. Capsule sessile, obtusely 3-lobed, ± 4 × 5.5 mm.. Seeds ovoid, 2.5 × 2 mm., pale brown, shallowly tuberculate.. Fig. 95/4, 5, p. 509.
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