Asparagus capensis old stems, new cladodes

The short, green cladodes or false leaves of Asparagus capensis grow on short side-branches that cluster at the nodes. After rain in the Karoo these plants may be lush and green, boasting new growth.

The durable, woody, white stems do not all sprout when the chance comes, droughts taking their toll. Fierce, hooked spines are present, spaced in pairs along the pale stems, as well as occasional long, straight ones (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Shearing and Van Heerden, 2008).