Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce

Bridal Creeper

Climbing branched spineless herbaceous vine to 4 m from a short rhizome with tuberous roots. Inflorescence consisting of solitary or paired flowers in cladode axils. Cladodes broadly-ovate, flattened, 1.5-3.5 cm long, 1 per node, multi-nerved. Flowers, bisexual, bell-shaped, 5-8 mm long; spring to summer.Tepals greenish-white, anthers joined to enclose ovary. Fruit red. Syn. Myrsiphyllum asparagoides (L.) Willd.

S Africa (Cape).

Formerly grown in gardens as an ornamental ground cover on embankments and hanging baskets. Extremely invasive and now a declared noxious weed in most states.

Source: Conran, J. (2005). Asparagaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Hero image

Asparagus asparagoides 'Myrtifolius'

Smaller, more compact form, cladodes less than 2 cm long.

kingdom Plantae
phylum   Tracheophyta
class    Magnoliopsida
superorder     Lilianae
order      Asparagales
family       Asparagaceae
genus        Asparagus L.