Variation
var.namaquensis
This succulent is similar to the species with dark green leaves that have long translucent spines along the margins and keel. The overlapping thick fleshy pointed leaves arch inwards from a rosette ball-shaped habit.

var.nigricans
This solitary spineless succulent has a dense rosette of thick leathery tapering leaves with a strong keel. They are dark green at the base becoming chocolate brown towards the acute apex.

var.scabrispina
This perennial forms a tight compact rounded habit that is raised above the ground and is up to 150 mm (6in) wide. The dark green fleshy leaves are covered in hard pale brown stiff spines and the plant is normally solitary but may form a small clump.

var.setata
This perennial forms a compact stem-less rounded habit up to 60 mm () in diameter and is normally solitary but can form a small clump. It prefers a semi-shaded to shaded position and is naturally found on the Western Cape of South Africa.

var.xiphiophylla
This small perennial forms a compact rounded habit with incurved dark green fleshy lanceolate (sword-shaped) leaves that have numerous whitish thread-like spines and is found in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.