Densely branched succulent shrub-like plant to c. 2 m high.Stem much reduced.Branches widely spreading, becoming erect, rebranching from near the base, 5–7-angled, constricted into segments ovate to ± circular in outline; segments up to 15 cm long and 3–5 cm wide; angles sinuate with shallow tubercles 6–10 mm apart along the margins.Spine shields forming a continuous horny margin c. 2 mm wide along the angles; spines 5–13 mm long; prickles rudimentary or absent.Cymes solitary, simple with lateral cyathia vertically arranged; peduncle and cyme branches c. 2 mm long; bracts 1 × 2.5 mm, deciduous.Cyathia with involucres 3 × 4.5–5 mm; glands 2.5–3 mm wide, transversely oblong, touching, yellow; lobes c. 1.5 × 1.5 mm, subquadrate, fimbriate.Male flowers: bracteoles c. 3 mm long, plumose; stamens 4 mm long.Female flower: styles 1.5 mm long, united for one-third.Capsule c. 9 mm in diameter, acutely lobed, pedicel 0.5–1 mm long.Seeds c. 2.5 mm in diameter, subglobose, brown.