Small erect to spreading dome-shaped shrublet to 150 mm tall. Branches to 4 mm thick; upper branches brown; leaves crowded towards tips of branches, old leaves not remaining on the branches. Leaves triquetrous, globose to subglobose in outline, 2.0-4.0 x 1.5-2.0 mm, leaf pairs fused for 3/4 of the length; mucro obscure; slightly velvety; yellow-green. Flowers in compound cymose inflorescences; central primary axis to 4 mm long, equal proportionally to capsule length, bracteoles caducous; spines present, arranged in compound cyme, secondary axes with spines arranged in simple cyme; spines derived from aborted axillary buds and less frequently from old pedicels; spines branching at ± 45°, sharp, elevated above terminal leaf pair; filamentous staminodes many, forming a complete series around the stamens. Fruit 7-to 8-locular; top convex, base funnel-shaped, ± 3.9 x 4.7 mm; closing rodlet conspicuous; valve wings absent.
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