Probably monocarpic. Plant up to 1.5 m. Trunk erect or prostrate, covered with remains of old leaves. Leaves forming a rosette, erect, up to 60 cm, constricted at the neck, greyish-green, sometimes glaucous, hardly channelled. Apical spine 1-1.5 cm, black to dark reddish-brown; marginal spines hooked upwards. Inflorescence large paniculate. Flowers in clusters on the terminal portion of the branches. Perianth lobes slightly longer than the ovary segments. Stamens exserted. filaments c. 2.5-3.5 cm, anthers c. 8-13 mm.