Perennial much branched, climbing woody herb. Branches spreading horizontally in a single plane. Cladodes in fascicles of (8)-10-13(-20), 4-5 mm, very slender, slightly triangular in outline. Leaf modified into spine with reflexed tip. Inflorescence developing after cladodes. Flowers solitary or in clusters of 2-4, bisexual. Pedicel <5 mm, articulated in the middle or below. Perianth white, segments lanceolate, oblong, c. 7 mm. Fruit purplish black, 6-7 mm in diameter, seeds 1-3.

Lectotype: “Drege, Herb. No. 8584. C.v.c. in Herb. Reg. Berol. et Luc.” (KIEL), Jessop (l.c.).

The specimen that was in Berlin is destroyed and the one that was in Luc. is now in KIEL (Jessop. l. c.).

Distribution: Native of South Africa; commonly cultivated in Punjab gardens (R. R. Stewart, l. c.).

The foliage is much used by florists.