A young Quaqua parviflora subsp. parviflora stem wears a short, velvety covering over its initially green skin. The appropriate garb for prevailing conditions does so much for comfort and wellbeing.
Four stem-angles bulge from the longitudinal central folds that run from base to tip. The triangular to conical tubercles are in picture tipped with yellowish, pointed teeth. The stem is about 2 cm in diameter, the tubercles 3 mm to 6 mm long, straight or curving back (Williamson, 2010; White and Sloane, 1937).