Asparagus capensis half dead

Summer drought accompanied by heat and wind often makes Asparagus capensis die back, relinquishing stem parts when it lies low in survival mode among bare beach rocks; also in the Karoo.

The persistent, spine-covered dead branches reserve living space for future recapture after the next west coast winter rain. Other plants don’t often dare penetrate this density in the challenging habitat. So the sandy soil lies undisturbed for long, in wait for moisture runoff from the rocks.

Roots are then boosted, bringing sprouts. That time is not yet, the wait seeming endless. But it does come, occasionally and unexpectedly, appreciated more than in places of high rainfall.