Asparagus africanus Lam.

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (7)

Photo: Bart Wursten
Island 2: near boat landing point, Katombora, Zambezi

Photo: Sune Holt
Vilankulo, Inhambane, Mozambique

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Protasparagus africanus (Lam.) Oberm.
Common names:	Bush asparagus (English)
Frequency:
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.
Type location:	South Africa, Cape Province
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	africanus: African
Habitat:	In woodland on Kalahari sands and riverine fringes.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:	Apr - Nov
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in subsaharan Africa, Arabian Peninsula and India. Introduced in Australia.
FZ divisions:	N,SW
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Champluvier, D. et Maquet, P. (1988). Liliaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume IV Page 38. (Includes a picture). 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). Geerinck, D.J.L. (2016). Asparagaceae Flore d'Afrique Centrale Nouvelle Serie Jardin Botanique Meise, Belgique Pages 20 - 21. (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. Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 56. 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

Other sources of information about Asparagus africanus:

Our websites:

Flora of Burundi: Asparagus africanus
Flora of Caprivi: Asparagus africanus
Flora of the DRC: Asparagus africanus
Flora of Malawi: Asparagus africanus
Flora of Mozambique: Asparagus africanus
Flora of Rwanda: Asparagus africanus
Flora of Zambia: Asparagus africanus
Flora of Zimbabwe: Asparagus africanus

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Asparagus africanus
African Plant Database: Asparagus africanus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Asparagus africanus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Asparagus africanus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Asparagus africanus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Asparagus africanus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Asparagus africanus
JSTOR Plant Science: Asparagus africanus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Asparagus africanus
Plants of the World Online: Asparagus africanus
Tropicos: Asparagus africanus
Wikipedia: Asparagus africanus