Asparagaceae
Asparagus

Asparagus suaveolens Burch.

First published in Trav. S. Africa 1: 226 (1822)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is Kenya to S. Africa. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the subtropical biome.

Descriptions

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation
Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident
[AERP]

Flora Zambesiaca Asparagaceae by Sebsebe Demissew

Morphology General Habit
Erect herb up to ± 1 m high.
Morphology Stem
Stems erect, straight or slightly zigzag, with short internodes, glabrous; nodes usually many-budded, proliferating into numerous spines, branches and branchlets.
Morphology Branches
Branches similar to stem, straight or reduced to a noded, patent spine with 1 or 2 lateral spinules. Branchlets non-spinous, short, few to numerous, bearing cladode fascicles and apical flowers.
Morphology Stem Cladodes
Cladodes 1–6 in a fascicle, subulate, 10–19 mm long.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers apical, 1–3; pedicel 1–10 mm long, articulated near base.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Tepal
Tepals narrowly obovate, 1.5–3.5 mm long, white with a dark midrib.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary obovoid, 3-grooved, yellow, with 4–6 ovules in each locule; style and stigmas short.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Berry black, ± 5 mm in diameter, the dry perianth persistent, 1–3-seeded.
Distribution
Also in Kenya; widespread and common over southern Africa except N Namibia and N Botswana.
Ecology
In Brachystegia, Julbernardia and Colophospermum-dominated woodland, open wooded grassland and riverine fringes; 160–1200 m.
Conservation
Conservation notes: Widespread species; not threatened.
[FZ]

Asparagaceae, Sebsebe Demissew. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2006

Morphology General Habit
Erect shrub, up to 1 m high; stems erect, straight or slightly zigzagging, with short internodes, glabrous; branches and main stems with spines 6– 9 mm long.
Morphology Stem Cladodes
Cladodes solitary or in fascicles of 2– 6, subulate, 3– 6(– 19) mm long.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Flowers solitary or in fascicles of 2– 3 on terminal branches; bracts overlapping, broadly elliptic, 1× 0.5 mm, rounded to acute at apex; pedicel 1– 5(– 10) mm long, articulated near base.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Tepals narrowly obovate, 1.5– 3.5 mm long, white with a dark midrib; ovary obovoid, 3-locular with 4– 6 ovules in each locule; style and stigmas short.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Berry black, ± 5 mm in diameter, the dry perianth persistent, 1– 3-seeded.
Habitat
Few data; termite mound in Acacia wooded grassland, near forest and along roads; 1500– 2000 m
Distribution
K4 K5 T1 T2 widespread and common all over southern Africa except northern Namibia and northern Botswana
[FTEA]

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Plants and People Africa

    • Common Names from Plants and People Africa http://www.plantsandpeopleafrica.com/
    • © Plants and People Africa http://www.plantsandpeopleafrica.com http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/