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This species is accepted, and its native range is Tropical & S. Africa, Arabian Peninsula, W. India.

[FZ]

Flora Zambesiaca Asparagaceae by Sebsebe Demissew

Reference
Protasparagusafricanus (Lam.) Oberm. in S. Afr. J. Bot. 2: 243 (1983); in F.S. 5(3): 35 (1992).
Morphology General Habit
Erect or scandent shrub, 0.5–3(5) m high.
Morphology Stem
Stems many, pubescent or glabrous, smooth, green with spreading branches and branchlets.
Morphology General Spines
Spines straight or reflexed, sharp, 5–10 mm long.
Morphology Stem Cladodes
Cladodes 3–12 per fascicle, filiform, slightly curved, apiculate, unequally long, 5–15(20) mm long.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers 2–8 in each cladode fascicle; pedicels 5–10 mm long, articulated in lower half.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Tepal
Tepals narrowly obovate, 2.5–4 mm long, whitish.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens with small yellow anthers.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary with 4 ovules per locule, obovoid; style and stigmas very short.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Berry 5–6 mm in diameter, orange to red.

[FWTA]

Liliaceae, F. N. Hepper. Flora of West Tropical Africa 3:1. 1968

Morphology General Habit
Erect herb 3-5 ft. high with numerous spiny branches
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers greenish white
Ecology
Occurring in clumps in moist sandy savanna.

[FTEA]

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

Morphology General Habit
Erect or climbing or scrambling shrub to 4 m; branches terete to angled, glabrous to pubescent, with spines 3– 5 mm long; terminal branches with or without spines.
Morphology Stem Cladodes
Cladodes fasciculate, 5– 25, subulate, stiff or flexible, 3– 15 mm long.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Flowers in fascicles of 2– 10(– 35), axillary and terminal; bracts lanceolate, ± 1.5 mm long, falling off quickly; pedicels 3– 8(– 10) mm long, articulated below the middle.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Tepals white to cream, ± equal, 3– 4 mm long, entire; stamens shorter than the perianth, anthers yellow; ovary 3-locular with 4– 8 ovules in each locule; style 1 mm long, 3-branched.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Berry red, 5– 6 mm in diameter, 1-seeded.
Figures
Fig. 1:1– 3 (page 7).

[FSOM]

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit
Low erect shrublet or stems climbing or scrambling up to 5 m; branches glabrous to puberulous, terete to angled, with spines 3–5 mm long, the terminal branches without spines
Morphology Stem Cladodes
Cladodes clustered, 5–25 together, subulate, stiff, 3–12 mm long
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers clustered, 2–10 together, axillary and terminal; pedicels 3–8 mm long, articulated below the middle
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts
Bracts lanceolate, c. 1.5 mm long, falling off quickly
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Tepal
Tepals white to pale yellowish, 3.5–5 mm long, entire
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens shorter than tepals; anthers yellow
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary with 6–8 ovules in each cell; style c. 1 mm long, 3-branched
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Berry red, 5–6 mm in diam., 1-seeded
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds rugose.
Distribution
N1, 2; S2, 3 Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and southwards to South Africa, and in Arabia and eastwards to India.
Ecology
Altitude range 15–2050 m.

Native to:

Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cape Provinces, Central African Repu, Chad, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Free State, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Northern Provinces, Oman, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Socotra, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zaïre, Zimbabwe

Introduced into:

Queensland

English
Catbush, Sparrowgrass, Wild asparagus

Asparagus africanus Lam. appears in other Kew resources:

Date Reference Identified As Barcode Type Status
Jan 1, 2010 Crawford, F. [96], Namibia K000787826
Jan 1, 1994 Schimp. [296], Ethiopia K000255646 isosyntype
Jan 1, 1994 Pichi-Sermolli, R. [2027], Ethiopia K000255647 Unknown type material
Mar 25, 1971 Welwitsch [3878], Angola K000255665 Unknown type material
Mar 25, 1971 Welwitsch [3874], Angola K000255669 Unknown type material
Feb 8, 1971 Scaetta [512], Zaïre K000255636 paratype
Jan 1, 1971 Sapin [s.n.], Congo, DRC K000255637
Aug 11, 1965 Lugard, E.J. [31], Malawi K000255660 Unknown type material
Aug 11, 1965 Lugard, E.J. [25], Botswana K000255666 Unknown type material
Aug 11, 1965 McCabe [15], Botswana K000255664 Unknown type material
Jul 1, 1965 Saunders [s.n.], South Africa K000255684 holotype
Jul 1, 1965 Burke [s.n.], South Africa K000255685 holotype
Jul 1, 1965 Burke [s.n.], South Africa K000255686 holotype
Jul 1, 1965 Burchell, W.J. [2587], Botswana K000255662 holotype
Jul 1, 1965 Lugard, E.J. [52], Botswana K000255668 Unknown type material
Jul 1, 1965 Bowker [s.n.], South Africa K000255683 holotype
15152.000
Ash [915], Ethiopia 36412.000
unknown [8576], South Africa K000255687 Unknown type material
unknown [8576], South Africa K000255688 Unknown type material
Nader, I.A. [310], Saudi Arabia 48908.000
Baum, H. [150], Angola K000255667 Unknown type material
Meller, C.J. [s.n.], Malawi K000255663 Unknown type material
Kirk, J [s.n.], Malawi K000255661 Unknown type material

First published in Encycl. 1: 295 (1783)

Accepted by

  • Dobignard, D. & Chatelain, C. (2010). Index synonymique de la flore d'Afrique du nord 1: 1-455. Éditions des conservatoire et jardin botaniques, Genève.
  • Demissew, S. & Nordal, I. (2010). Aloes and other Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea, ed, 2: 1-351. Shama Books, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
  • Timberlake, J.R. & Martins, E.S. (eds.) (2008). Flora Zambesiaca 13(1): 1-140. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Demissew, S. (2006). Asparagaceae Flora of Tropical East Africa: 1-22.
  • Sosef, M.S.M. & al. (2006). Check-list des plantes vasculaires du Gabon Scripta Botanica Belgica 35: 1-438.
  • Akoègninou, A., van der Burg, W.J. & van der Maesen, L.J.G. (eds.) (2006). Flore Analytique du Bénin: 1-1034. Backhuys Publishers.
  • Boulos, L. (2005). Flora of Egypt 4: 1-617. Al Hadara Publishing, Cairo.
  • Germishuizen, G. & Meyer, N.L. (eds.) (2003). Plants of Southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14.: i-vi, 1-1231. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
  • Edwards, S., Demissew, S. & Hedberg, I. (eds.) (1997). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea 6: 1-586. The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia & The Department of Systematic Botany, Upps.
  • Wood, J.R.I. (1997). A Handbook of the Yemen Flora: 1-434. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Boulos, L. (1995). Flora of Egypt Checklist: i-xii, 1-287. Al Hadara Publishing, Cairo.
  • Govaerts, R. (1995). World Checklist of Seed Plants 1(1, 2): 1-483, 1-529. MIM, Deurne.
  • Thulin, M. (ed.) (1995). Flora of Somalia 4: 1-298. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Audru, J., Cesar, J. & Lebrun, J.-P. (1993). Les Plantes Vasculaires de la République de Djibouti. Flore Illustrée 2(2): 433-968. CIRAD, Départerment d'Elevage et de Médecine vétérinaire, Djibouti.
  • Ghazanfar, S.A. (1992). An Annotated Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of Oman and their Vernacular names Scripta Botanica Belgica 2: 1-153.
  • Karthikeyan, S., Jain, S.K., Nayar, M.P. & Sanjappa, M. (1989). Florae Indicae Enumeratio: Monocotyledonae: 1-435. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta.
  • Troupin, G. (ed.) (1988). Flora du Rwanda 4: 1-651. Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale.
  • Brunel, J.F., Hiepo, P. & Scholz, H. (eds.) (1984). Flore Analytique du Togo Phanérogames: 1-751. GTZ, Eschborn.
  • Boulvert, Y. (1977). Catalogue de la Flore de Centrafrique 2(2): 1-94. ORSTOM, Bangui.
  • Peyre de Fabregues, B. & Lebrun, J.-P. (1976). Catalogue des Plantes Vascularies du Niger: 1-433. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.
  • Lebrun, J.-P., Audru, J., Gaston, A. & Mosnier, M. (1972). Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Tchad Méridional: 1-289. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.

Literature

Flora of West Tropical Africa

  • Morton, Lilles & Orch. fig. 20.
  • Berhaut, Fl. Sén. 53
  • F.T.A. 7: 433
  • Encycl. Méth. Bot. 1: 295 (1783)

Flora Zambesiaca

  • ―Sebsebe Demissew in F.T.E.A., Asparagaceae: 6 (2006).
  • ―Jessop in Bothalia 9: 48 (1966).
  • in F.T.A. 7: 433 (1898).
  • in F.C. 6: 265 (1896);
  • ―Baker in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 14: 619 (1875);
  • Encycl. 1: 295 (1783).

Kew Backbone Distributions

  • Timberlake, J.R. & Martins, E.S. (eds.) (2008). Flora Zambesiaca 13(1): 1-140. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Demissew, S. (2006). Asparagaceae Flora of Tropical East Africa: 1-22.
  • Sosef, M.S.M. & al. (2006). Check-list des plantes vasculaires du Gabon Scripta Botanica Belgica 35: 1-438.
  • Germishuizen, G. & Meyer, N.L. (eds.) (2003). Plants of Southern Africa: an annotated checklist. Strelitzia 14.: i-vi, 1-1231. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
  • Chaudhary, S.A. (2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 3: 1-368. Ministry of Agriculture & Water, Riyadh.
  • Edwards, S., Demissew, S. & Hedberg, I. (eds.) (1997). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea 6: 1-586. The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia & The Department of Systematic Botany, Upps.
  • Wood, J.R.I. (1997). A Handbook of the Yemen Flora: 1-434. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Thulin, M. (ed.) (1995). Flora of Somalia 4: 1-298. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • Audru, J., Cesar, J. & Lebrun, J.-P. (1993). Les Plantes Vasculaires de la République de Djibouti. Flore Illustrée 2(2): 433-968. CIRAD, Départerment d'Elevage et de Médecine vétérinaire, Djibouti.
  • Karthikeyan, S., Jain, S.K., Nayar, M.P. & Sanjappa, M. (1989). Florae Indicae Enumeratio: Monocotyledonae: 1-435. Botanical Survey of India, Calcutta.
  • Brunel, J.F., Hiepo, P. & Scholz, H. (eds.) (1984). Flore Analytique du Togo Phanérogames: 1-751. GTZ, Eschborn.
  • Boulvert, Y. (1977). Catalogue de la Flore de Centrafrique 2(2): 1-94. ORSTOM, Bangui.
  • Peyre de Fabregues, B. & Lebrun, J.-P. (1976). Catalogue des Plantes Vascularies du Niger: 1-433. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.
  • Lebrun, J.-P., Audru, J., Gaston, A. & Mosnier, M. (1972). Catalogue des Plantes Vasculaires du Tchad Méridional: 1-289. Institut d' Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux, Maisons Alfort.
  • Hepper, F.N. (ed.) (1968). Flora of West Tropical Africa, ed. 2, 3(1): 1-276.

Flora of Somalia

  • Flora Somalia, Vol 4, (1995) Author: by Sebsebe Demissew [updated by M. Thulin 2008]

Flora of Tropical East Africa

  • Sebsebe Demissew, Fl. Eth. & Erit. 6: 68 (1997).
  • Sebsebe Demissew in Fl. Somalia 4: 25 (1995)
  • Agnew, A.D.Q. & Agnew, S., Upland Kenya Wild Flowers, ed. 2: 311 (1994).
  • Blundell, Wild Fl. E. Afr.: fig. 245 (1987).
  • Hepper in Flora of West Tropical Africa 3: 94, fig. 349 (1968).
  • E. Lind & A. Tallantire, Some Common Flowering Plants of Uganda p. 203, fig. 132 (1962).
  • Kies in Bothalia 6: 177 (1951).
  • Salter in Fl. Cape Penins.: 175 (1950).
  • Marloth, Fl. S. Afr. 4: pl. 20 (1915).
  • Baker, Fl. Cap. 6: 265 (1896).
  • Baker in Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Botany 14: 619 (1875)
  • Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg. 7: 331 (1829).
  • Bresler, Dissert. inaug.: 9 (1826).
  • Lam., Encycl. Meth. Bot. 1: 295 (1783).

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

Flora of Somalia
Flora of Somalia
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

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

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© Copyright 2017 World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone
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