Asparagus setaceus

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Asparagus setaceus
Asparagus setaceus Leaves 2760px.jpg
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. setaceus
Binomial name
Asparagus setaceus
Synonyms [1]

Asparagus setaceus, with the common names of common asparagus fern, asparagus grass, [2] lace fern, climbing asparagus, or ferny asparagus, is a climbing plant in the family Asparagaceae . [3] Despite its common name, the plant is not a true fern, but has leaves that resemble one. [4]

Contents

Naming

Originally described by the German botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth, its Latin specific epithet setaceus means "hairy". [5]

Description

Asparagus setaceus foliage. Starr 080117-1771 Asparagus setaceus.jpg
Asparagus setaceus foliage.

Asparagus setaceus is a scrambling evergreen perennial with tough green stems and leaves, which may reach several metres in length. The leaves are actually leaf-like cladodes up to 7 mm long by 0.1 mm in diameter, which arise in clumps of up to 15 from the stem, making a fine, soft green fern-like foliage. Sharp barbed thorns occur on the stem. Occurring from spring to autumn, the small greenish-white bell-shaped flowers are 0.4 cm long, and are followed by small green berries, which blacken with maturity. [6] They are reportedly toxic upon consumption. If eaten, they can lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain. [7]

Distribution

Asparagus setaceus is native to Southern Africa, extending south west as far as Calitzdorp in the Karoo.[ citation needed ]

It is grown elsewhere as an ornamental plant and has become an invasive species in several locations where it has been introduced. [8]

Cultivation

Asparagus setaceus is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for planting in garden and containers, and as a house plant. The attractive foliage is also used in floral arrangements. It is hardy to 1 °C (34 °F), but does not tolerate being frozen. Therefore in temperate zones it is normally cultivated indoors in bright, indirect light. [9]

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [9]

Invasive species

In Australia it is considered an invasive species and this hardiness has helped it become a weed in Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands. [10] Other areas that regard it as an invasive species and noxious weed include the North Coast of New South Wales, [11] and Queensland. [12]

Toxicity

Asparagus setaceus is toxic to many domestic animals, including dogs and cats, and if they ingest the berries, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and allergic dermatitis may result. The toxic agent within the plant is sapogenin, a naturally occurring steroid. [13] [14] [15]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Anredera cordifolia</i> Species of vine

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noxious weed</span> Harmful or invasive weed

A noxious weed, harmful weed or injurious weed is a weed that has been designated by an agricultural or other governing authority as a plant that is harmful to agricultural or horticultural crops, natural habitats or ecosystems, or humans or livestock. Most noxious weeds have been introduced into an ecosystem by ignorance, mismanagement, or accident. Some noxious weeds are native, though many localities define them as necessarily being non-native. Typically they are plants that grow aggressively, multiply quickly without natural controls, and display adverse effects through contact or ingestion. Noxious weeds are a large problem in many parts of the world, greatly affecting areas of agriculture, forest management, nature reserves, parks and other open space.

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

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. A. aethiopicus has been confused with A. densiflorus, now regarded as a separate species, so that information about A. aethiopicus will often be found under the name A. densiflorus.

<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>Senecio madagascariensis</i> Species of flowering plant

Senecio madagascariensis, also known as Madagascar ragwort, is a species of the genus Senecio and family Asteraceae that is native to Southern Africa. Other common names include Madagascar groundsel and fireweed. It has been included on the noxious weeds list for Hawaii and the reject list for Australia. S.madagascariensis is the diploid cytotype of S.inaequidens.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Weed</span> Plant considered undesirable in a particular place or situation

A weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular situation, growing where it conflicts with human preferences, needs, or goals. Plants with characteristics that make them hazardous, aesthetically unappealing, difficult to control in managed environments, or otherwise unwanted in farm land, orchards, gardens, lawns, parks, recreational spaces, residential and industrial areas, may all be considered weeds. The concept of weeds is particularly significant in agriculture, where the presence of weeds in fields used to grow crops may cause major losses in yields. Invasive species, plants introduced to an environment where their presence negatively impacts the overall functioning and biodiversity of the ecosystem, may also sometimes be considered weeds.

<i>Oxalis latifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Oxalis latifolia is a species of flowering plant in the woodsorrel family known by the common names garden pink-sorrel and broadleaf woodsorrel. It is native to Mexico and parts of Central and South America. However, it has propagated to other parts of the world.

<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.

Boneseed and closely related Bitou Bush are two subspecies of Chrysanthemoides monilifera, an invasive species in Australia

<i>Gloriosa superba</i> Species of plant

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<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. 1 2 "Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 2024-12-10.
  2. Asparagus Grass, Adrian Deans, (2023, Hague Publishing) Science fiction novel where a noxious weed becomes a metaphor for a secret alien invasion.
  3. NRCS (2006-10-01). "Asparagus setaceus". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Archived from the original on 2006-09-26. Retrieved 2006-10-01.
  4. Zachos, Ellen (2005). Tempting Tropicals: 175 Irresistible Indoor Plants . Timber Press. p.  112. ISBN   0-88192-732-5.
  5. Simpson DP (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary (5 ed.). London: Cassell Ltd. ISBN   0-304-52257-0.
  6. "Climbing Asparagus". www.weeds.org.au. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  7. Walliser, Jessica (2021-11-30). "Plumosa Fern: How to Grow and Care for This Unique Houseplant". Savvy Gardening. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
  8. "Asparagus setaceus". Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. 2005-12-03. Archived from the original on 2006-08-19. Retrieved 2006-10-01.
  9. 1 2 "RHS Plantfinder - Asparagus setaceus". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 2018-01-12.
  10. "Asparagus plumosus". Flora of Australia Online. ABRS, Commonwealth of Australia. 1994. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  11. NSW North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee (2004). "Asparagus (Climbing) (Asparagus plumosus)". Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme website. Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme. Archived from the original on 2009-09-13. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  12. Sonia Jordan (2007). "Feathered asparagus fern". Queensland Gov't website. State of Queensland (Primary Industries and Fisheries within the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation). Archived from the original on 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  13. "Ten Household Plants Dangerous to Dogs and Cats | Neighorhood Pet Clinic". npcvet.com. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  14. "Asparagus Fern Poisoning in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost". wagwalking.com. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  15. "Asparagus Fern | ASPCA". www.aspca.org. Retrieved 2024-06-24.