Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce
Diagnostic description:
A straggling and climbing, non-spiny perennial, with twining, branching, stems up to 3 metres long. Cladodes leaf-like (phylocladodes), solitary at each node; ovate-lanceolate, acuminate; up to 3.5 cm long and 2 cm wide. Phylocladodes in alternate, single or paired, in side branches containing up to 10. Flowers 5 to 6 mm long, solitary or in pairs in the cladode axils; white, with 6 perianth segments. The fruit are red berries 6 to 10 mm diameter.
Distribution:
Local:In Gibraltar it is found as a weed in gardens such as the Alameda Gardens, but it is also found in scattered places in the Upper Rock.
Global: A native of South Africa, it has been introduced in gardens, from where it escapes and becomes naturalised elsewhere.
Ecology:
Flowers from March to April.