Asparagus mariae (Oberm.) Fellingham & N.L.Mey.

Erect, robust, greyish shrubs, ±1 m high, the coarse puberulous stem covered by erect spines below, branching out into a rounded head above. Rhizome typical with coarse acuminate cataphylls around the stem base; roots cylindrical. Stem erect, densely puberulous with erect short hairs, sharp spines and cladode clusters (viz. branches suppressed below) white or pale. Branches well developed above, ascending, with numerous spiny side branches. Spines prominent, hard, branched with 2 basal, diverging side spines. Branchlets in clusters, ±10 mm long, bearing small cladode fascicles. Cladodes filiform, apiculate, ±4 mm long, 1-4 per fascicle, glabrous. Flowers 1-3, apical, exserted from a cladode cluster; tepals obovate, ±6 mm long; stalk ±6 mm long, the disc just exserted from a cluster of small papery bracts. Stamens typical. Ovary with 6 ovules in each locule. Fruit not seen, probably a berry.