Spiny Sunburst

This modest-sized leaf succulent grows up to 49 feet (14.9 meters) tall. The asymmetrical stem is hazel, and is covered in hundreds of fine, white, hair-like spines. The stocky leaves are lime and yellow. Thick bunches of them grow on round, orange-yellow branches that are short, thin and wispy. The leaves are robust, but take some effort to detach.

It is fast growing, taking 4 months to reach maturity. Once mature, a handful of flowers, with solid peach petals decorated with gentle orange lines and a crimson central disk, grow at the top, reappearing every year. The flower head is shaped like a tube with 28 tightly layered, narrow petals. It has the faintest scent that smells like meat.

The leaf succulent's skin is thick, the copper flesh is waxy, and the green sap is thin and can cause blindness if consumed.