Huernia namaquensis stems

The erect or angled stems of Huernia namaquensis are thickly succulent, bulging and wavy in their obtusely four- or five-angled tubercle-ridged bodies. The teeth at the tips of the tubercles are compressed on the sides, triangular in the vertical dimension and sharply pointed, straight or curving, but later blunt and white-tipped when the point is lost in age.

Surface texture is smooth and hairless, the colour several shades of green, often tinged or flecked dull purple; in picture some steely dark grey colouring also in evidence. Stems become from 3 cm to 6 cm tall and 1 cm to 1,5 cm thick.

The stems branch, spread and form small mats when all goes well and the rocks around don’t cramp their space (Williamson, 2010; White and Sloane, 1937).