A shrub growing to 60 cm tall, forming multi-stemmed cushion-shaped clumps up to 2 m wide. The stems are erect, succulent, superficially like a cactus (an example of convergent evolution in a similar semi-desert climate), four-angled, with short but sharp pairs of 6 mm spines on the angles, spaced about 1 cm apart up the stem.

Abortifacient, carcinogenic, emetic, immunostimulant, irritant, laxative, rubefacient, sialagogue, toxic and vesicant.

Remedies
King's American Dispensatory

For bronchosis, cancer, catarrh, conjunctivosis, constipation, dermatosis, diarrhea, dropsy, dysmenorrhea, epistaxis, gout, headache, otosis, plantar wart, respirosis, sore, ulcer.

Ingestion can cause death, burning gastrosis, colic, diarrhea, nephrosis, salivation.