Home | > | List of families | > | Asparagaceae | > | Asparagus | > | africanus |
Synonyms: |
Protasparagus africanus (Lam.) Oberm. |
Common names: | Bush asparagus (English) |
Frequency: | Common |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Slender scrambling shrub or climber. Stems with spreading branches, closely set with cladodes (leaf-like modified branchlets) in clusters of up to 12, unequal in length, up to 10 mm. Flowers whitish with yellow anthers, up to 6 inside the cladode clusters; fruits orange, turning blackish when old. |
Notes: | Based on the specimens in SRGH under this name, this is a very variable species indeed. Pending an up to date revision for Zimbabwe, we have followed the same broad concept on this site. |
Derivation of specific name: | africanus: African |
Habitat: | In woodland on Kalahari sands and riverine fringes. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | Apr - Nov |
Worldwide distribution: | |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Friday 11 November 2005 |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 5. Possibly as Asparagus cooperi? Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 120. Also as Asparagus cooperi Demissew, S. (2008). Asparagaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(1) Pages 15 - 17. (Includes a picture). Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 346. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 85. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 114. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 180. as Asparagus cooperi |
Home | > | List of families | > | Asparagaceae | > | Asparagus | > | africanus |