Ruscus hypophyllum - cl. 3

This male form from Greece, with handsome rounded leaves, a small evergreen shrub, to 2 ft, is nothing but stems, but seems to survive quite nicely, thank you. Native from Italy to the Czech Republic, it's often used to do rough cleaning (beating rugs, cleaning butchering blocks, etc.). An indestructible border plant; better in the winter when it sets berries. Best in part to full shade in rich, well-drained soil. Though drought tolerant, growth is better with summer water. Frost hardy in USDA zone 7.