Crimson Spineleaf

This small leaf succulent grows up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall. The needle-like stem is moss green, and is covered in brittle green spines. The ripped-edged, thin leaves are crimson and beige. Sparse amounts of them grow from the base in tight-packed layers. The leaves are delicate, but are very difficult to pull away.

It is slow growing, taking 35 years to reach maturity. Once mature, a single flower with solid cyan petals decorated with bronze dots and a violet central disk grows at the top, reappearing once every 5 years. The flower head is shaped like a dish with 4 widely spaced, narrow petals. It has no scent.

The leaf succulent's skin is tough, the slate flesh is smooth, and the grey sap is thin.