They tend to be the most common ones grown here, I think people prefer the fine foliage, although they still do have "claws". Asparagus racemosus is native here but it's one with coarse leaflets (strictly speaking they're cladodes and not leaves, botanists make a distinction there).

Driving by an office building once on a cold February day I saw a beautiful rose bush with big pink blooms. I parked and got out to inspect this marvelous variety of rose that bloomed in winter and found that someone had wired silk roses (polyester actually) to the rose bush! It sure fooled me. Like Jim's neighbor I feel like doing that myself sometimes ... LOL.

acenjason: I have the same in my bin but they are BROWN. I think they are some sort of mites because they sometimes go to the top of the bin (seeking oxygen? I read the link from mndtrp) - I don't see legs either! Maybe I'll look with the magnifying glass! This weekend, none were on the sides or top but I noticed a lot in the cast when I went to feed wormies. Since I started the bin (August 2007) I haven't added water, except maybe a MILD mist-spray when I put in the shredded newsprint and the bottom 1/3 of the bin is sticky/wet & depending on the foodstuff, will leak out (I have holes on the bottom). I guess I'll leave the bin open today - but the link said the mites would travel up?? When my cover has a lot of them, I shoot them off with the hose (away from the bin!). I'm looking for pictures - I know I saw a post with pictures.

We have a local pediatrician that does di-chro jewelry. He wears pins and stuff everyday at work and has given lots of it to his nurses and receptionists, who also wear it frequently. He gets lots of questions about the jewelry, and people always want to know where he gets it (most of what he wears is very whimsical). Several years ago he began to have an open house at his own home in early December to sell his jewelry (he and his daughter make it all). They invited their co-workers and friends and just served cookies, crackers, cheese, and punch. They told everyone to bring friends. Every year it has grown and last year they probably had a few hundred people go through their doors. I love his stuff and do lots of gift buying there every year, buying about 20 pieces per year. They now have picture frames, serving utensils, sculptures, and lots of jewelry priced mostly from $10-100, but some a little more. People get there early, waiting outside, to get first pick of everything. Most everyone there purchases at least $100 or more. I get compliments on his jewelry all year long and tell people where it comes from and they ask how they can get invited to this "exclusive" party. I just tell them to call his clinic and they will give them the date and time.