melon spurge

A tender, clump-forming, slow-growing succulent producing roughly spherical, leafless and spineless stems to 12.5cm (5in) in diameter with 8-12 vertical, angled ribs, variably marked with narrow, horizontal bands of green and purple-bronze. In spring and summer, greenish-yellow flowers emerge from the ribs near the top of the plant on stems which dry and remain persistent after flowering is over. Older plants can produce offsets from around their base.