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Aloes and Lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea

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Asparagus<br />

leptocladodius<br />

Description<br />

ASPARAGUS 301<br />

Harerge floristic regions in Ethi opia <strong>and</strong> in <strong>Eritrea</strong>. It<br />

also occurs in the Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania,<br />

Mozambique, Angola, <strong>and</strong> Asia. The main flowering<br />

period in <strong>Ethiopia</strong> is from October to December <strong>and</strong> also<br />

occasionally in June.<br />

9. Asparagus leptocladodius Chiovenda<br />

The specific epithet ‘leptocladodius’ refers to the slender<br />

(lepto-) shoots (­cla dus). The species was described by<br />

Chio venda in 1940 from plants collected at Mt. Ellot in<br />

Bale floristic region by Reghini. It is easily distinguished<br />

from related species with racemose inflorescence by the<br />

flowering bran ches without cladodes; by the umbellate,<br />

condensed, 1–2.5 cm long race mes, <strong>and</strong> by the flowers<br />

easily falling <strong>of</strong>f the pedicels, which are articulated in the<br />

mid or below.<br />

Erect or sc<strong>and</strong>ent shrub to 2 m high. Branches glabrous to<br />

puberulous, terete, white with erect spines 4–12 mm long. Cladodes<br />

fasciculate, 2–15 together, flattened, arcuate, 10–60 mm long,<br />

triangular. Raceme 0.5–2 cm long, <strong>of</strong>ten condensed <strong>and</strong> reduced,<br />

giving impression <strong>of</strong> an umbel. Pedicel 5–6 mm long, articulated in<br />

the middle or below. Bracts ovate, 1–1.5 × 0.5 mm, white, falling<br />

quickly. Perianth white, ± equal, 3–4 mm long. Stamens shorter<br />

than the perianth; anthers black. Ovary 2–3­locular with 6–8 ovules<br />

Fig. 132. Asparagus leptocladodius, from near S<strong>of</strong> Omar, Bale floristic<br />

region.

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