Climbing asparagus

A hardy scrambling or climbing perennial with finely divided leaf-like Cladodes and underground tuibers. It prefers shady areas and moisture, but can tolerate some drought. Unlike other asparagus ferns, this species does not grow thorns. It grows many tiny white drooping flowers that are followed by small orange, later red spherical fruit. These attract birds which help to disperse them.

It is endemic to the shady afro-montane forests of the Western Cape, South Africa. Here it can be found from the indigenous woods and kloofs of Cape Town, eastwards as far as the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Cultivated in South African gardens, it is a very useful ornamental plant for growing in deep shade. It will climb up any sticks, pillars or trellises that are available, or form a thick, feathery groundcover.