Growing relatively slowly, it forms an erect structure that branches and suckers heavily from its base, eventually building into a dense, protective hedge or barrier that stands 5 to 7 feet (1.5 to 2.1 meters) tall. It is characterized by thick, upward-curving, pale gray-green leaves stretching up to 2 feet long that are deeply channeled. The leaf margins are heavily armed with a striking row of large, pale, dull teeth. During the cool winter months, the older foliage undergoes a beautiful stress color transformation, taking on prominent reddish and bronze hues.
