Asparagus setaceus
(Kunth) Jessop.
Asparagaceae
Asparagopsis setacea Kunth
Asparagus asiaticus amharicus Pic.Serm.
Asparagus lujae De Wild.
Asparagus plumosus Baker
Asparagus zanzibaricus Baker
Protasparagus plumosus (Baker) Oberm.
Protasparagus setaceus (Kunth) Oberm.
Common Name: Asparagus Fern
Base of the plant, showing the prickles on the stems
Photograph by: Forest and Kim Starr
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
Base of the plant, showing the prickles on the stems
Photograph by: Forest and Kim Starr
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
An escaped weed in Hawaii, growing over and smothering native vegetation
Photograph by: Forest and Kim Starr
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0
General Information
Asparagus fern is an evergreen climbing plant producing stems up to 5 metres long from a tuberous rootstock.
The plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in the tropics, often as a potted plant[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
326- Title
- Flora of Zimbabwe
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Over 2,000 species as of 2009 (and growing). Each record usually has at least one photo with a botanical description of the plant, range, habitat etc. A very useful site.
Range
Eastern and southern Africa - Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, S. Africa.
Habitat
Thickets and forests[
326- Title
- Flora of Zimbabwe
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Over 2,000 species as of 2009 (and growing). Each record usually has at least one photo with a botanical description of the plant, range, habitat etc. A very useful site.
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Climber |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Self-fertile | No |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Easily grown in any good garden soil[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Prefers a moist soil in a partially shaded position[
302- Title
- Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
- Publication
-
- Author
- Whistler. W. Arthur.
- Publisher
- Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-88192-448-2
- Description
- An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
The plant is commonly grown as an ornamental, and has escaped from cultivation in many areas. It is spread mainly by birds, who eat the fruit then void the seed. It also spreads in situ by means of long, slender rhizomes[
]. It has become a serious weed in some places, where it can invade native forests[
].
Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
Edible Uses
Young shoots[
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. No more details are given but it is likely that they are cooked and used like asparagus[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as ripe. Pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in pots. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[
134- Title
- Growing from Seed. Volume 2.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Rice. G. (Editor)
- Publisher
- Thompson and Morgan.
- Year
- 1988
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.
]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on until large enough to plant out into their permanent positions[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Division of the tuberous rootstock.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
