Euphorbia malevola L. C. Leach

Succulent shrub up to 1.5 m high, much-branched from the base. Branches slender, c. 1 cm in diameter, 4(5)-angled; greyish-green with dark purple mottling along the angles; tubercles on the angles set at 8-15 mm intervals. Spines needle-like, 5-7 mm long, spreading; spine shields separated, decurrent along the margins of the angles, rarely forming a continuous margin; each shield crowned with a second pair of prickles, c. 2 mm above the spines. Minute leaves ovate, c 1.5 mm long, falling very early. Cyathia c. 3 × 5.5 mm with funnel-shaped involucres, brownish-yellow with a purplish-red margin. Fruit sessile, subglobose, c 3.5 × 4 cm, dull green with purple markings.

Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.