Asparagus lignosus

Asparagus lignosus, the fire asparagus previously known botanically as A. compactus and Protasparagus compactus respectively at different times, is a perennial shrublet that grows to 80 cm. Its spindly branches and spines are nearly white with tufts of bright green to dark green cylindrical false leaves (cladodes) grouped in clusters. The leaves become 1 cm to 2 cm in length.

Creamy flowers appear in spring with rounded petals, orange anthers and green inside the base. The spherical fruits with minute spiny tips are initially green, becoming red when ripe.

The plant occurs in most parts of the Western Cape on rocky slopes in sandy and loamy soil in fynbos, renosterveld and more. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Manning, 2007; iSpot; www.redlist.sanbi.org).