Asparagus declinatus into Sideroxylon inerme

This attractive Western Cape asparagus growing here with white milkwood by the sea, generates many Australian Internet entries; few in South Africa. The reason: while fairly unknown in its country of origin, the plant constitutes such an environmental threat in Australia where it was introduced as an ornamental plant in 1870 that it has been declared a weed of national significance there.

Another lesson to remind us of the need to abide by the laws concerning the introduction of alien plants into our gardens and farms!  Wherever we may live and although the land may be ours.

The name of the plant changed from Myrsiphyllum declinatum and Asparagus crispus in the past (Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; www.weeds.org.au).