Asparagus aethiopicus

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Asparagus aethiopicus
Asparagus aethiopicus 5Dsr 7742.jpg
Naturalized in Australia
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Asparagoideae
Genus: Asparagus
Species:
A. aethiopicus
Binomial name
Asparagus aethiopicus
L.
Synonyms [2]
List
  • Asparagopsis aethiopica(L.) Kunth
  • Asparagopsis lancea(Thunb.) Kunth
  • Asparagus aculeatusVoss
  • Asparagus laetusSalisb.
  • Asparagus lanceusThunb.
  • Asparagus maximusVoss
  • Asparagus sprengeriRegel
  • Protasparagus aethiopicus(L.) Oberm.

Asparagus aethiopicus, Sprenger's asparagus, is a plant native to the Cape Provinces and the Northern Provinces of South Africa. Often used as an ornamental plant, it is considered an invasive weed in many locations. Asparagus fern, asparagus grass and foxtail fern are common names; however, it is unrelated to true ferns. [3] A. aethiopicus has been confused with A. densiflorus , now regarded as a separate species, [4] [5] so that information about A. aethiopicus will often be found under the name A. densiflorus.

Contents

Name and description

The species was originally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1767. The attribution "Sprenger's Asparagus" refers to Carl Ludwig Sprenger who made it popular in Europe as an ornamental plant.

Asparagus aethiopicus is a branching perennial herb with tough green aerial stems which are sparsely covered with spines. The oval-shaped leaves are actually leaf-like cladodes, which are 0.8–2 cm long and 0.1–0.2 cm wide, and arise in groups of four or more from the stem. Occurring in spring, the small white or pinkish-white flowers are 0.3–0.5 cm long and arise in clusters off the stem. Flowers are followed in summer by small round berries 0.5 cm in diameter, which bear a black 3 mm diameter seed. Initially green, the berries mature and turn red in the winter. The root system is a mat of fibrous roots with bulbous water storage tubers, originating from a toughened "crown" at the base of the leaves, this crown including fragments left in the ground may resprout. [6] [7] [8]

Distribution

Asparagus aethiopicus is native to southern regions of South Africa, mainly in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and the Northern Provinces.

Its natural habitat is rocky shale slopes and coastal scrub, in relatively dry areas. [9] [10]

In the United States, it has been declared a weed in Hawaii, [11] and Florida. [12] It has also been declared a weed in New Zealand, [13] and has become established around major urban areas in Australia including Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Southeastern Queensland, and Adelaide, [7] as well as Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. [14] Seeds are spread by fruit-eating birds and improper disposal of garden refuse. [7] The pied currawong is a culprit in Sydney. [15] It can be eradicated using various herbicides depending on the situation, [6] [16] or manual removal of the woody crown found at the junction between the leaves and roots, the non-reproductive water storage tubers can be safely left in the ground to decompose. [6] [17]

Cultivation and toxicity

Asparagus aethiopicus is grown as an indoor plant in cooler climates, or as an ornamental garden plant in urban gardens, rockeries or in pots. Two cultivars are seen in cultivation, 'Sprengeri' is a scrambling form with sparser foliage, while 'Meyeri' has more erect stems to 70 cm (28 in) and denser foliage. [13]

Consuming the berries of A. aethiopicus can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain, and contact with the skin may cause dermatitis. The plant is toxic to domestic cats and dogs. [18]

Related Research Articles

<i>Asparagus</i> (genus) Genus of flowering plants

Asparagus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Asparagoideae. It comprises up to 300 species. Most are evergreen long-lived perennial plants growing from the understory as lianas, bushes or climbing plants. The best-known species is the edible Asparagus officinalis, commonly referred to as just asparagus. Some other members of the genus, such as Asparagus densiflorus, are grown as ornamental plants.

<i>Allium vineale</i> Species of flowering plant

Allium vineale is a perennial, bulb-forming species of wild onion, native to Europe, northwestern Africa and the Middle East. The species was introduced in Australia and North America, where it has become an Invasive species.

<i>Cylindropuntia imbricata</i> Species of cactus

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<i>Asparagus setaceus</i> Species of plant

Asparagus setaceus, commonly known as common asparagus fern, asparagus grass, lace fern, climbing asparagus, or ferny asparagus, is a climbing plant in the genus Asparagus. Despite its common name, the plant is not a true fern, but has leaves that resemble one.

<i>Asparagus asparagoides</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Asparagaceae

Asparagus asparagoides, commonly known as bridal creeper, bridal-veil creeper, gnarboola, smilax or smilax asparagus, is a herbaceous climbing plant of the family Asparagaceae native to eastern and southern Africa. Sometimes grown as an ornamental plant, it has become a serious environmental weed in Australia and New Zealand.

<i>Dianella tasmanica</i> Species of flowering plant

Dianella tasmanica, commonly known as the Tasman flax-lily or Tasmanian flax-lily is a herbaceous strappy perennial herb of the family Asphodelaceae, subfamily Hemerocallidoideae, found in southeastern Australia including Tasmania. It has leaves to 80 cm, and a flower stem to 1.5 m. Blue flowers in spring and summer are followed by violet berries. It adapts readily to cultivation and is commonly seen in Australian gardens. Unlike other Dianella species, its fruit is toxic.

<i>Gaudium laevigatum</i> Species of plant

Gaudium laevigatum, commonly known as the coast tea tree, is a species of shrub or small tree that is endemic to south-eastern Australia, but has been widely introduced in other places where it is often considered to be a weed. It has thin, rough bark on the older stems, narrow egg-shaped leaves, relatively large white flowers and flat topped fruit that is shed shortly after reaching maturity.

<i>Senecio angulatus</i> Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

Senecio angulatus, also known as creeping groundsel and Cape ivy, is a succulent flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is native to South Africa. Cape ivy is a scrambling herb that can become an aggressive weed once established, making it an invasive species. It is grown as an ornamental plant for its satiny foliage and sweet-scented flowers.

<i>Cestrum parqui</i> Species of flowering plant

Cestrum parqui, commonly known as palqui, green cestrum, Chilean cestrum, green poisonberry, or willow-leaved jessamine, is a species of flowering plant native to Chile.

<i>Ageratina adenophora</i> Weedy species of flowering plant

Ageratina adenophora, commonly known as Crofton weed, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Mexico and Central America. Originally grown as an ornamental plant, it has become invasive into farmland and bushland worldwide. It is toxic to horses, which develop a respiratory disease known as Numinbah horse sickness after eating it.

<i>Ochna serrulata</i> Species of flowering plant in the family Ochnaceae

Ochna serrulata is an ornamental garden plant in the family Ochnaceae which is indigenous to South Africa. It is planted in southern African gardens and is an invasive species in Australia and New Zealand.

<i>Atractocarpus chartaceus</i> Species of plant in the family Rubiaceae

Atractocarpus chartaceus, commonly known as the narrow-leaved gardenia, is a species of evergreen flowering plant in the coffee family Rubiaceae. It is found in subtropical rainforest of eastern Queensland, Australia, and it is cultivated for its fragrant flowers and colourful fruit.

<i>Cordyline stricta</i> Species of flowering plant

Cordyline stricta, known as the Slender Palm Lily, or Narrow-leaved Palm Lily is an evergreen Australian plant. A shrub to 5 metres tall found in wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest, usually on the coastal lowlands. From near Bilpin, New South Wales further north to Queensland. C. stricta has become naturalised in Victoria.

<i>Asparagus scandens</i> Species of vine

Asparagus scandens is a flowering plant native to South Africa in the genus Asparagus. It is not related to ferns.

<i>Rhamnus alaternus</i> Species of flowering plant

Rhamnus alaternus is a species of flowering plant in the buckthorn family Rhamnaceae, known by the common names Italian buckthorn or Mediterranean buckthorn. It is a hardy medium-sized evergreen shrub with fragrant flowers.

<i>Asparagus densiflorus</i> Species of flowering plant

Asparagus densiflorus (among several species colloquially called asparagus ferns; no relation to actual ferns), or the foxtail fern (asparagus) or plume fern, is a variable, evergreen-perennial plant related to cultivated, edible asparagus.

Foxtail fern is a common name given to several ornamental plants in the genus Asparagus. It may refer to:

<i>Asparagus krebsianus</i> Species of shrub

Asparagus krebsianus is a shrub of the Asparagus genus that is native to rocky areas in southern Africa. It ranges from central Malawi through Mozambique to the Northern Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, and Cape Provinces of South Africa.

<i>Asparagus africanus</i> Species of plant

Asparagus africanus, also known as African asparagus, bush asparagus, wild asparagus, climbing asparagus fern, ornamental asparagus and sparrow grass, is an African species of plant that is found in a variety of habitats. It has multiple medicinal properties and is used to treat various ailments.

References

  1. Romand-Monnier, F. & von Staden, L. (2013). "Asparagus aethiopicus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 208. IUCN. e.T13507050A44531856. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T13507050A44531856.en .
  2. The Plant List, Asparagus aethiopicus L.
  3. Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening in Canada. The Reader's Digest Association (Canada) Ltd.: 1979. Calkins, Carrol C., ed. ISBN   0-88850-081-5
  4. "FNA Vol. 26 Page 213, 214: Asparagus aethiopicus". Flora of North America. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  5. "Asparagus densiflorus". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 2021-12-14.
  6. 1 2 3 "NSW WeedWise". weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2021-10-22.
  7. 1 2 3 Wolff, Mark A. (1999). Winning the war of Weeds: The Essential Gardener's Guide to Weed Identification and Control. Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 43. ISBN   0-86417-993-6.
  8. Asparagus aethiopicus - SANBI PlantZAfrica.com
  9. Asparagus aethiopicus distribution and map - Redlist
  10. Gibbs Russell, G. E., W. G. M. Welman, E. Retief, K. L. Immelman, G. Germishuizen, B. J. Pienaar, M. Van Wyk & A. Nicholas. 1987. List of species of southern African plants. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa 2(1–2): 1–152(pt. 1), 1–270(pt. 2). as Protasparagus aethiopicus
  11. "Asparagus densiflorus (Liliaceae) - HEAR species info". hear.org. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  12. Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2007 List of Invasive Plant Species
  13. 1 2 Asparagus densiflorus Archived September 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  14. "Asparagus aethiopicus". Flora of Australia Online. ABRS, ©Commonwealth of Australia. 1994. Archived from the original on 2012-10-24. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  15. "Asparagus Densiflorus - Asparagus Fern". Lane Cove Council - Our Environment. Lane Cove Council, NSW. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
  16. Wolff, p. 104
  17. Wolff, p. 80
  18. "Asparagus Fern". ASPCA. Retrieved 7 April 2019.

Further reading