Bloodvine

This small caudiciform grows up to 1 foot (30.5 cm) tall. The perforated stem is light brown and silver, and is covered in many flexible blood red spines. The wonky, red trunk can grow to as much as 1 foot (30.5 cm) in diameter in the middle. Its orange branches are tall, rigid and upright and start growing at the base the stem.

The small amounts of smooth-edged, broad, flat leaves are either green or yellow, with slate streaks. They are flimsy, but detach easily.

It is steady-growing, taking 14 months to reach maturity. Once mature, several flowers with each petal a slightly different shade of brown grow at the top, reappearing once every 9 years. The flower head is largely flat with many widely spaced round-tipped petals. It has a soft scent that smells like mango.

The caudiciform's skin is tough, the cyan flesh is leathery, and the grey sap is thin and causes upset stomachs if consumed.