Asparagus capensis green and white buds

Stalked, globose Asparagus capensis buds grow in small fascicles at the tips of soft, side-branches that are clustered at nodes of the woody, big stem.

The buds are green in their lower parts in picture, as if there are calyces present. The six tepals of each flower occur in two whorls, however, without sepals. The green is from the cladode-like bracts serving as the early bud protection.

The tops of the globular flowers-to-be are already white, the revealed promise of tepals that will soon spread (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000).