Asparagaceae

Asparagus africanus

Common Names: Ornamental asparagus

Plant Form: Perennial climber. Size: Up to 3 m long. Stem: Woody, with spines to 10 mm. Short green shoots form pseudo-leaves (cladodes) replacing true leaves. Leaves: Reduced, scale-like, replaced by cladodes 8-15 mm long, naked, in dense clusters of 7-12. Flowers: Solitary or several, white, with six petal-like tepals 3-4 mm long, on stalks 5-10 mm long. Fruit and Seeds: Orange-red, spherical berry 5-6 mm across, with single seed. Habitat: Old gardens; dry rainforests, urban bushland. Distinguishing Features: Similar to Climbing asparagus fern (Asparagus plumosus) but with longer cladodes. Impacts: Smothers native vegetation.

Leaves are quite small

Leafs lie in flat planes

Spines on stems are use for climbing

Climbs over other plants