Crimson Spinevine

This short leaf succulent grows up to 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall. The pleated stem is green, and is covered in brittle green spines. The lumpy leaves are either cyan or blood red, with white patches. Handfuls of them grow on thin, brown branches that are tall, rigid and upright. The leaves are frail, and take little effort to detach.

It is very slow growing, taking 18 years to reach maturity. Once mature, a handful of flowers, with solid copper petals and a grey central disk, grow at the top, reappearing once every 7 years. The flower head is shaped like a trumpet made up of 12 widely spaced, narrow petals. It has a fairly strong scent that smells like vanilla.

The leaf succulent's skin is very thick, the magenta flesh is smooth, and the lilac sap is thin.