Small, globose succulent from South Africa with persistent peduncles that look like branching spines. Plants grow to 8 inches tall and 4 inches wide, and are often unbranched. They have 8 sharply defined ribs, horizontal banding across stems, and a brownish color in strong light. There are separate sexes. Female inflorescences are less elaborate than male ones.

The typical meloformis can be distinguished from subspecies valida based on subtle differences in appearance: it typically does not grow as tall, the growth center is depressed, it rarely has spiraling ribs, and it has less highly branched cymes. Both are found in the Eastern Cape and enjoy the same treatment in cultivation. Strong light and excellent drainage are important for good health and form.

This plant falls within a group of similar-looking dwarf(ish) plants, all with ribs, some with tubercles, from South Africa. It belongs with the species hypogaea, jansenvillensis, juglans, obesa, pseudoglobosa, susannae, symmetrica, tubiglans, and the former valida (now a subspecies of meloformis). These plants are all dioecious (separate male and female individuals), with small (short) tubular cyathia.

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