Spiny undershrub. Branches many, 8-15 cm, minutely pubescent, ± glabrous; the older basal portions developing a whitish-green bark. Leaves 10-20 x 2-3 mm, subulate-acerose, pubescent, ± glandular, patent or pointing upwards, shallow concave or flat above, convex beneath, sessile, apex ending in a brownish spine. Fascicles sometimes present in the axils. Flowers in dense terminal, sessile corymbs. Bracts linear-lanceolate, densely glandular-pubescent, apex acuminate-spiny. Calyx 6-7 mm, cylindrical, glandular-pubescent; teeth triangular at the apex, spiny; nerves obscure. Petals white, c. 7 mm, oblong-linear, limb dentate at the apex. Ovary 8-10 ovulate (Schischkin, l.c.).

Fl. Per.: June, July.

Type: Iran, Khorassan, inter Scharud et Nizapour, Bunge (G, photo!).

Distribution: Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan & Pakistan.

Fairly common in Baluchistan at c. 1520 m. Resembles A. squarrosum but distinguished by its thicker leaves, very dense inflorescence and glandular pubescence on the bracts and calyx.