Bloodvine

This short leaf succulent grows up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall. The asymmetrical stem is yellow-green, and is covered in copious amounts of rigid blood red spines. The ripped-edged, finger-like leaves are either violet or blood red, with pale purple splotches. Handfuls of them grow from the base in a spiral pattern. The leaves are light, but easily come away when pulled.

It is very fast growing, taking 3 months to reach maturity. Once mature, and only under the right conditions, several flowers with violet petals and a yellow center grow at the top, reappearing after 8 years, but only when the conditions are right again. The flower head is largely flat with handfuls of widely spaced round-tipped petals. It has an overpowering scent that smells like soap.

The leaf succulent's skin is thick, the grey flesh is rough, and the lilac sap is thin.