非洲天门冬 fei zhou tian men dong

Asparagopsis densiflora Kunth, Enum. Pl. 5: 96. 1850; Asparagus sprengeri Regel.

Subshrubs hermaphroditic. Stems ± climbing, branched, to 1 m; branches distinctly striate-ridged. Cladodes in fascicles of 1--5, linear, 1--3 cm × 1.5--2.5 mm, flat. Leaf spur spinescent; spine slightly hooked, 3--5 mm and sharp on main stems, very short and not sharp on branches, woody. Inflorescences developing after cladodes, solitary or paired, axillary, each a many-flowered raceme or panicle 2--2.5 cm; bracts linear, 2--5 mm. Pedicel ca. 2 mm, articulate at middle. Perianth white; segments oblong-ovate, ca. 2 mm. Stamens shorter than perianth; anthers minute. Berry red, 8--10 mm in diam., 1- or 2-seeded. Fl. throughout year. 2 n = 40, 60.

Commonly cultivated and occasionally becoming naturalized [native to S Africa].