the bark is thin and scaly, flaking off in small circular plates 5–10 cm across. the crown is conic, with widely spaced branches with drooping branchlets. the shoots are stout, pale buff-brown, glabrous, and with prominent pulvini. the leaves are needle-like, 23–35 mm long, stout, moderately flattened in cross-section, bright glossy green with inconspicuous lines of stomata; the tip is viciously sharp.