The often sparse, bigger branches of Gloveria integrifolia bushes may be a parsimonious arrangement, heeding the recurring aridity of the habitat where these plants grow.  

This long, conspicuously protruding branch seen in the Little Karoo near Barrydale, zigzags between short, straight side-branches ending in sharp, hard spines. The bark on both branch types in picture is pale grey and slightly rough.

The leaves grow in spaced fascicles from a third type of dark branchlet, or hardly a branchlet, as it is not managing or bothering to elongate… maybe next year (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist).