plant without stem, leaves straplike subcoriaceous base clearly dilated obscure lepidote tip rounded cuspidate, spines on the edges horny dark chestnut brown lower ones close large upper ones gradually smaller and more sparse, flowers in an ample thyrsoid panicle with corymbose branches, primary bracts small lanceolate, pedicels elongate erect, ovary oblong glabrous, sepals coriaceous oblong-lanceolate mucronate longer than the ovary, petals a little narrowed.Edited from : Kew Bull 198. (1892)