![]() |
|
This
is a common weed in my garden. Like its close relative,
asparagus-fern, it is distributed by
birds. Sickle thorn
asparagus is cultivated in gardens for its foliage.
Unlike
asparagus-fern, sickle thorn asparagus is not a twining vine. In this
picture it is actually using asparagus-fern as support, see the
unsupported stem falling out to the right.
The
real leaves on this plant are small and don't look at all leaf
like. These thin, very sharp thorns are the true leaves.
The flattened branches which look like leaves are called cladodes.
Here
is a good view of the tiny flowers.
The
fruit is a bright red
berry. They are prized by the mockingbirds
especially when feedinf nestlings. Which is why it is so common
as a weed.
These
are the roots of the sickle
thorn asparagus showing the tubers.
The
growing tip of the stem shows
similarity to edible asparagus.
[Plants
] [Back Yard
Biology ] [ Science Can Be Fun
]