Asparagus retrofractus setting a trap

The soft welcome of Asparagus retrofractus bushes such as this one living in the Overstrand region, contradicts the katdoring (cat thorn) common name of the plant. Soft-furred cats have vicious nails and teeth. The katdoring has thorns that work the same.

Too close quarters with this plant is similar, they say, to feeding a pill to the normally docile kitty at home. The lesson to be learnt in both situations is that curiosity, even empiricism, has its limits. Apart from avoiding folk dancing and incest, as Sir Thomas Beecham purportedly may have advised, close encounters with this asparagus need not be experienced.