| General Description | Mat-forming low plant, large bluish-green terminal joints. Covered in miniature barbed glochids which easily detach from the plant when touched, can be quite painful. |
| Shape | Low-spreading. |
| Landscape | In rock gardens, in potted succulent collections, as a potted patio decoration plant or as a specimen. |
| Propagation | Sow seeds early spring in a well drained compost, once large enough, prick and place in individual pots to remain for their first 2 winters. The following late spring or early summer plant in their permanent location. Leaf pads can be cut at any time, place the cutting in a dry sunny area and ensure the base is completely dry, beginning to callous then pot in sandy compost. |
| Cultivation | Sandy, rocky or gravelly soils in full sun or partial shade, is not tolerant of full shade. |
| Pests | None known. May rot if soil is too wet. |
| Habitat | Desert valleys, low hills or mountainsides at an altitude of 600-1,500 m. |
| Leaf Description | Conical leaves, 1.5-3 mm long. Spines are straight, greyish-white in colour generally cover the joints and spread in all directions, 1-6 per areole, 1.2-1.5 cm in length. |
| Flower Description | Greenish-yellow in colour, 4.5 cm in diameter, greenish-yellow filaments 1.5 mm long, style 10-15 mm long, with 10 stigmas. |
| Fruit Description | Obovoid, spiny or spineless, reddish-green in its youth turning dry and tan coloured at maturity roughly 2-3 months after flowering. |
