Schlechteranthus stylosus (L.Bolus) R.F.Powell

Dense spreading shrub, often dome-shaped, to 400 mm tall. Branches to 7 mm in diameter; upper branches brown; leaves crowded towards tips of branches, old leaves not remaining on the branches. Leaves triquetrous, ovoid in outline, 1.5-2.0 mm x 2.0-2.5 mm, leaf pairs fused for 0.3 to 0.5 of length; mucro prominent; slightly velvety; yellow-green to deep green. Flowers in compound cymose inflorescences; central primary axis to 8 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 few to absent, forming an incomplete series around the stamens. Fruit 7-to 9-locular; top convex, base funnel-shaped, ca. 4.0 x 3.0 mm; closing rodlet conspicuous; valve wings absent.