Perennial, glabrous, climbing shrub. Ramose, rather woody stems reaching 5 m. Young stems with longitudinal papillate veins. Needle-like cladodes, (10-)20-30 x 0,3-0,5 mm, in clusters of 4-30. Small flowers in numbers of 4-15 per cluster. White segments of perianth, 5-7 mm. Pedicels (5.5-)6-8 mm. Spherical or elliptic fruit (berry), maturing to greenish-yellow.
Rare plant which mainly inhabits the cliffs on North coast of Madeira. Very rare on Desertas.