In nature it grows inside the cracks of the limestone escarpments of the Falaise de l'Ankarana mountain range, from which it got its name. It was first collected by H. Humbert in 1938. It is a very rare succulent plant with an unbranched stem. Its deciduous leaves are very particular, they have a light silver-white down on the edges, are green on the upper part and reddish on the lower one. In spring, at the apex of the plant, its numerous flowers bloom, which then leave space for new leaves.