These green and white Avonia quinaria subsp. quinaria stems show the straight longitudinal lines in which the small leaves and their covering bracts are arranged. The branches become about 2,5 cm long, only 2 mm in diameter.

In a mature plant a cluster of the thin stems grows from the top of a turnip-shaped, underground caudex or thickened main stem. This caudex is fleshy, becoming somewhat woody and up to 5 cm in diameter. Caudices may multiply, forming a compact clump.

There is another recognised subspecies of A. quinaria, viz. subsp. alstonii. It seems possible that this plant may end up in the Anacampseros genus like some of the others (http://worldofsucculents.com).