Ruscus Hypophyllum

WE have quite a few of these shrubs growing in our garden, and although it is called a ground cover, it has the form of a shrub.
What appears to be a green leaf, is no leaf at all; it is a stem, called a cladode.

R. hypophyllum, which is related to the numerous Asparagus species that are also popular cut foliages, has semi-glossy, dark green, thornless "leaves" that are actually stem modifications called cladodes or cladophylls.

The true leaves are minute, scale-like and non-photosynthetic.
The flowers are small, white with a dark violet centre, and situated on the middle of the cladodes.

R. hypophyllum is typically dioecious (plants are unisexual, with separate male and female plants). Flowers are produced in the center of the cladodes and may be on the upper and lower surfaces.

The fruits (berries) are bright red.

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