textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
African Asparagus
Asparagus africanus
SA tree number
English: African Asparagus, African Asparagus Fern, Climbing Asparagus Fern, Wild Asparagus, Bush Asparagus, Ornamental Asparagus
Afrikaans: Katdoring, Katbos, Wilde-asparagus, Haakdoring, Wag-’n-bietjie, Wag-'n-bietjie-doring
Xhosa: umAthunga, uBulawu uBumhlope, umThunzi
Zulu: isiGoba, isiGobo
S. Sotho: Lelala-tau-le-leholo, Leunyeli
Historical names: Asparagus scandens var. deflexus, Asparagus virgatus var. deflexus
Misapplied names: Protasparagus africanus, Asparagopsis lamarckii, Asparagus gourmacus
Asparagus africanus, commonly known as African Asparagus or Climbing Asparagus Fern, is a tough and scrambling indigenous shrub or climber. It's often found forming dense, thorny thickets or clambering over other vegetation, recognised by its feathery, needle-like 'leaves' and small, berry-like fruits.
Have you got a picture for us?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Distinguishing features:
Highly scrambling or climbing habit with thorny stems.
Feathery appearance due to numerous fine, needle-like cladodes (modified stems that look like leaves).
Small, bell-shaped, whitish-green flowers.
Produces small, round, red or black berry-like fruits.
Very sharp, recurved thorns, especially on older stems.
Overall appearance:
The African Asparagus Fern (Asparagus africanus) forms a tangled, often impenetrable mass of scrambling stems, sometimes climbing high into supporting shrubs or trees. Its feathery 'leaves' give it a delicate texture, but this belies the presence of sharp thorns that protect it. In season, it's adorned with tiny, inconspicuous flowers followed by colourful berries.
Height:
As a scrambler, its height is variable, ranging from 1 to 3 metres, but it can climb up to 5 metres or more into supporting vegetation.
Width:
Can spread extensively, forming clumps or thickets 1 to 3 metres or more in width.
Leaves:
What appear to be leaves are actually modified stems called cladodes. These are very fine, needle-like, flattened, and typically 5-20 mm long, arranged in clusters of 3 to 10 at each node. The true leaves are reduced to small, scale-like structures at the base of the cladode clusters, often associated with thorns. The cladodes are bright green to yellowish-green.
Flowers:
The flowers are tiny (about 3-5 mm long), bell-shaped, and usually greenish-white or yellowish-white. They are solitary or borne in small clusters (fascicles) in the axils of the cladodes. They are often inconspicuous but can be sweetly scented. Asparagus africanus flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
It generally flowers in spring and summer (around September to February), though sporadic flowering can occur at other times.
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, round, berry-like drupe, typically 4-8 mm in diameter. It ripens from green to a glossy red or black. Each fruit usually contains 1-3 seeds.
Seeds:
The seeds are small, hard, and black, enclosed within the fleshy fruit. They are dispersed by birds that eat the berries.
Stems: The stems are green and flexible when young, becoming tougher, woody, and greyish-brown with age.
Thorns:
Very prominent and characteristic sharp, recurved (hooked) thorns are present at the nodes along the stems, particularly on older, woody stems. These thorns are often associated with the scale-like true leaves.
Roots:
It has a fibrous root system with tuberous roots or rhizomes (underground stems) that store water and nutrients, allowing it to survive dry periods and regenerate after fire.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable and grows in a wide range of well-drained soils, from sandy to loamy or rocky. It tolerates nutrient-poor conditions.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun to partial shade. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and copes well with a range of conditions, including coastal exposure. It is moderately frost-tolerant, typically recovering from light to moderate frosts.
Ediblity:
While the young shoots of some Asparagus species (like garden asparagus) are edible, the berries and roots of Asparagus africanus are generally not considered edible and may cause gastric upset. Some sources mention traditional use of roots for medicinal purposes, but not as food.
Toxicity:
The berries are generally considered mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities, causing gastrointestinal upset. The thorns can cause physical injury.
Uses:
Often used in indigenous gardens as a robust scrambling shrub, informal hedge, or barrier plant due to its thorny nature. It is excellent for naturalising in wilder areas or for revegetation. Its dense growth provides habitat and shelter for wildlife. Historically, some Asparagus species had traditional medicinal uses, with roots sometimes used for various ailments, though specific uses for A. africanus should be confirmed with expert traditional healers.
Ecology:
The tiny, often scented, flowers attract various insect pollinators, including bees. The bright red or black berries are highly attractive to numerous bird species, which feed on them and thus play a crucial role in dispersing the seeds. Its dense, thorny thickets provide excellent protective cover and nesting sites for small birds, mammals, and reptiles. It is also adapted to fire, resprouting from its underground tubers.
Distribution and habitat:
Asparagus africanus is indigenous and widespread across a large part of South Africa, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and North West provinces, extending further north into other African countries. It naturally occurs in a wide range of habitats, including open grasslands, forest margins, coastal bush, rocky slopes, and disturbed areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Asparagus comes from the Greek "asparagos," which is an ancient name for this plant group, referring to its edible shoots.
The species name africanus means "from Africa," indicating its origin.
Common names like "African Asparagus Fern" refer to its feathery, fern-like appearance (due to cladodes) and its continent of origin. "Katdoring" (Afrikaans for "cat thorn") refers to its sharp, hooked thorns, resembling a cat's claw.
Historical aspects:
As a widespread indigenous plant, Asparagus africanus has long been a natural component of South Africa's diverse ecosystems, playing a role in the local flora and fauna. Its hardy nature and ability to grow in various conditions make it a resilient species. While its exact traditional uses might vary by region and specific Asparagus species, plants from this genus have been part of traditional medicine. In modern gardening, it's valued for its tough, water-wise nature and its ability to provide protective cover, making it a good alternative to certain invasive alien plants.
Interesting facts:
Don't let its delicate, feathery look fool you – this plant is armed with super sharp, hooked thorns, earning it the Afrikaans name "Katdoring" (cat thorn)!
What look like its leaves are actually modified stems called "cladodes" – a clever trick plants use to adapt to different environments!
It produces small, shiny red or black berries that are like little treats for birds, helping the plant spread its seeds far and wide.
This plant is a fantastic natural security fence, forming dense, thorny thickets that provide great protection for little creatures and can deter unwanted visitors!
Growing tips:
Propagation: Easily propagated from seed (clean pulp off berries before sowing) or by division of the tuberous roots.
Planting: Very adaptable. Prefers full sun to partial shade. Plant in well-drained soil; it tolerates a wide range of soil types.
Watering: Very water-wise. Water sparingly once established. It is highly drought-tolerant.
Frost Protection: Moderately frost-tolerant. Can handle light to moderate frosts, often resprouting from its rootstock even if the top growth is damaged.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Can be pruned to shape or contain its rambling growth. Be careful of the thorns!
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Evergreen, shrub, scrambler, climber or perennial
Plant family:
Asparagaceae (Latin plant name) - Order: Asparagales