Asparagus capensis var. capensis Baker

Roots fibrous. Stems erect, usually with several wide-spreading branches, up to 1 m high, brown or green, zigzagging, terete, pubescent when young, terminating in a spine. Branches similar to the stems. Branchlets fascicled, not replacing spines, spineless except occasionally for a terminal spine, pubescent. Lateral spines formed from modified branches, usually 3-nate, rarely more numerous, smooth, spreading at right angles to one another, straight or recurved, the central one longest, brown or green with a brown tip; some of the central spines on the older parts of the plant replaced by normal branches. Cladodes terete, usually slightly recurved, 1.5-6 mm or more long, glabrous or very minutely pubescent. Leaves scarious, with marginal hairs, sometimes very greatly reduced. Flowers sessile, 1-or 2-nate, terminal. Perianth segments oblong-obovate, 2-4.5 mm long, white with a green or purple median streak; margin serrate. Stamens nearly as long as the perianth segments: anthers about 0.5 mm long, yellow. Ovary about 1 mm long; style about 1 mm or less long. Berry globose, 4 mm diameter, 1-seeded, red; perianth persistent.