Spiny succulent shrublet to 15 cm high, densely branching from the base to form clumps up to 80 cm in diameter.Branches spreading, 10–15 mm in diameter, terete, with 6–8 angles or ridges separated by grooves; angles with prominent tubercles 2 mm high and up to 8–12 mm apart along the margins.Spine shields joined to form continuous, sinuous, horny, metallic-grey ridges 5 mm wide, separated by grooves; spines to 8 mm long, variable in length; prickles obsolete.Leaves 0.75 × 0.75 mm, deciduous.Cymes solitary, simple; peduncles and cyme branches 1–2.5 mm long; bracts 1.5 mm long, oblong, denticulate.Cyathia 2 × 3.5 mm, with cup-shaped involucres; glands 1.5 mm wide, transversely oblong, touching, dark red; lobes 1 × 1 mm, subquadrate, fimbriate.Male flowers: bracteoles c. 1.5 mm long, laciniate; stamens c. 3 mm long.Female flower: styles to 4 mm long, united for 1 mm, apices spreading, bifid.Capsule and seeds not seen.
