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

Erect, harsh, spiny, much branched, glabrous shrubs ±1 m high. Rhizome typical with side roots bearing tubers. Old stems woody, ±10 mm in diameter. Young stems slightly zigzagging, with short internodes, faintly ribbed. Spines exserted, present below nodes and cladode fascicles, ±6 mm long, small below flowers. Branches single or flanked by side branches; branchlets numerous. Cladodes 25-76 mm a fascicle, erect, stiff, filiform, 15-30(-50) mm long. Racemes (modified branchlets) simple, flowers solitary or binate, subtended by small, reflexed spines and erect, clasping bracts. Perianth with tepals narrowly obovate, 3 mm long, white; on a stalk ±3 mm long, articulated near base. Stamens with dark purple anthers. Ovary with 6-8 ovules in each locule; globose, light brown; style very short, with 3 spreading stigmas somewhat longer than style. Berry 8 mm in diameter, red.