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 a noxious weed.

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

Cylindropuntia imbricata, the cane cholla, is a cactus found in the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico, including some cooler regions in comparison to many other cacti. It occurs primarily in the arid regions of the Southwestern United States in the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada. It is often conspicuous because of its shrubby or even tree-like size, its silhouette, and its long-lasting yellowish fruits.

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

Anredera cordifolia, commonly known as the Madeira vine or mignonette vine, is a South American species of ornamental succulent vine of the family Basellaceae. The combination of fleshy leaves and thick aerial tubers makes this a very heavy vine. It smothers trees and other vegetation it grows on and can easily break branches and bring down entire trees on its own. Other names include lamb's tail and potato vine.

<i>Jasminum polyanthum</i> Species of jasmine

Jasminum polyanthum, the many-flowered jasmine, pink jasmine, or white jasmine, is a species of flowering plant in the olive family Oleaceae, native to China and Myanmar. A strong evergreen twining climber, it is especially noted for its abundant, highly fragrant pink to white flowers.

<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>Leptospermum laevigatum</i> Species of plant

Leptospermum 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>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>Rumex sagittatus</i> Species of flowering plant

Rumex sagittatus, synonym Acetosa sagittata, commonly known as turkey rhubarb or rambling dock or potato vine, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to southern Africa, which has become a weed in Australia and New Zealand.

<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.

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

Gloriosa superba is a species of flowering plant in the family Colchicaceae. Common names include flame lily, climbing lily, creeping lily, glory lily, gloriosa lily, tiger claw, agnishikha and fire lily.

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

<i>Iris bismarckiana</i> Species of plant

Iris bismarckiana, the Nazareth iris, is a species in the genus Iris, it is also in the subgenus Iris and in the section Oncocyclus. It is a rhizomatous perennial, from the mountainsides of Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. It has stoloniferous, spreading rhizomes, long, sword shaped, bright green leaves, long slender stem and 1 flower in Spring. The large flower is pale yellow, creamy-white, or white background. Which is covered with reddish-brown, maroon brown, purple-brown, purple, blue-purple, or blue veins, markings or spots. It has a dark signal patch and dark purple to black beard. It is rarely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions, as it needs very dry conditions during the summer.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Escaped plant</span> Plant that escapes cultivation

An escaped plant is a cultivated plant that has escaped from agriculture, forestry or garden cultivation and has become naturalized in the wild. Usually not native to an area, escaped plants may become invasive. Therefore, escaped plants are the subject of research in invasion biology.

<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 . IUCN. 208. 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. 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