Asparagus setaceus "leaves"

The generally visible Asparagus setaceus “leaves” are flattened stems, cladodes or cladophylls. There are (smaller) true leaves as well, but they are reduced to scales and hard to see.

These soft, bright green cladodes (as well as the ultimate and penultimate branches behind them) are usually arranged in one plane, i.e. spreading in a flat, level surface. The cladodes become about 1,5 cm long, clustered densely on the thin green stems.

These triangular, leafy sprays are popular additions to nosegays or small bouquets, posies worn or carried at special occasions.

The small, creamy white, star-shaped flowers of A. setaceus itself dont make it in the cut flower world. They are inconspicuous, borne only at branch tips. The plants are dioecious, so both male and female plants have to be cultivated to produce viable seed. Flowering happens from spring to autumn.

Flowers are followed by soft berries that turn black when ripe. The berries are 5 mm in diameter and probably toxic (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Lowrey and Wright, 1987; Wikipedia).