Asparagus mucronatus draped over Euclea undulata

The thicker, old stems of Asparagus mucronatus become bare and smooth. Pale green, brush-like clusters of false leaves ascend upon the young stems. No fragrant flowers or fruit are present here, the season autumn, the photo end March.

Very few spines are to be seen on the asparagus that has used a guarri tree to attain some height. These plants grow in the veld near Montagu. The spines are short and generally more angled back than curving, with pale scales at the broad base of each spine.

The large root system of these asparagus plants are valuable in lessening soil erosion. Long ago Khoi people used the roots in the treatment of tuberculosis.

The species distribution ranges from Paarl to Port Elizabeth, but in the west it also extends northwards into the Northern Cape.

Guarri habitat is common for this plant, as is renosterveld and some other vegetation types. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iSpot; www.redlist.sanbi.org).