Sprenger's Asparagus

Appearance

The species was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1767. The attribution "''Sprenger's Asparagus,''" refers to Carl Ludwig Sprenger who made it popular in Europe as an ornamental plant.

''Asparagus aethiopicus'' is a branching perennial herb with tough green aerial stems which are sparsely covered with spines. The leaves are actually leaf-like cladodes, which are 0.8–2 cm long and 0.1-0.2 cm wide, and arise in groups of four or more from the stem. Occurring in spring, the small white or pinkish-white flowers are 0.3-0.5 cm long and arise in clusters off the stem. Flowers are followed in summer by small round berries 0.5 cm in diameter, which bear a black 3 mm diameter seed. Initially green, the berries mature and turn red in the winter. The root system is a mat of fibrous roots with bulbous tubers, from which plants may resprout.

Naming

The species was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1767. The attribution "''Sprenger's Asparagus,''" refers to Carl Ludwig Sprenger who made it popular in Europe as an ornamental plant.

''Asparagus aethiopicus'' is a branching perennial herb with tough green aerial stems which are sparsely covered with spines. The leaves are actually leaf-like cladodes, which are 0.8–2 cm long and 0.1-0.2 cm wide, and arise in groups of four or more from the stem. Occurring in spring, the small white or pinkish-white flowers are 0.3-0.5 cm long and arise in clusters off the stem. Flowers are followed in summer by small round berries 0.5 cm in diameter, which bear a black 3 mm diameter seed. Initially green, the berries mature and turn red in the winter. The root system is a mat of fibrous roots with bulbous tubers, from which plants may resprout.

Distribution

''Asparagus aethiopicus'' is native to southeastern coastal regions of South Africa, in the Eastern Cape and the Northern Provinces.

In the United States, it has been declared a weed in Hawaii, and Florida. It has also been declared a weed in New Zealand, and has become established around major urban areas in Australia including Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Southeastern Queensland, and Adelaide, as well as Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Seeds are spread by fruit-eating birds and improper disposal of garden refuse. The pied currawong is a culprit in Sydney. It can be eradicated by glyphosate, or manual removal of tubers.