Asparagaceae

Asparagus scandens

Common Names: Asparagus fern

Plant Form: Perennial climber. Size: Up to 2 m long. Stem: Wiry, without thorns. Flattened, green shoots form pseudo-leaves (cladodes) replacing true leaves. Leaves: Reduced, scale-like, replaced by flattened shoots 5-15 mm long, straight to crescent or S-shaped. Flowers: In groups of 1-3, white to pinkish, with six petal-like tepals 3-4 mm long, on 6-10 mm stalks. Fruit and Seeds: Orange-red, spherical berry 5-7 mm across, with single seed. Habitat: Parks, gardens, coastal scrubland, urban bushland. Distinguishing Features: Pseudo-leaves small and usually crescent or S-shapeddistinguish from other Asparagus ferns (Asparagus species).