Asparagus rubicundus new growth

The pale green false leaves of Asparagus rubicundus ascend near the stem-tips. They curve in slightly and end somewhat abruptly in finely pointed tips. The soft growth near stem-tips has soft pale stems, hardly green in the photo. Stems turn brown and old ones darken to almost glossy black lower down.

Several plants (including trees) with hooked spines have been called wag-‘n-bietjie (wait a little) in Afrikaans. Spines like those in picture have qualified A. rubicundus for that name as well. Passing too close to such a plant quickly clarifies the reason (Bean and Johns, 2005).