Asparagus capensis young cladodes

The exaggeration possible in close-up photos here shows the Asparagus capensis cladodes in unusual guise. They are spaced in whorls up the soft, green side-shoots growing from the terminal node of a woody stem.

The stalkless cladodes or false leaves are linear, cohering in finger-like groups of three or four. Tapering abruptly to pointed tips, they are still pale green to yellow-green in youthful colouring (Curtis-Scott, et al, 2020; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000).