Asparagus setaceus
{{Short description|Species of plant}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Asparagus setaceus Leaves 2760px.jpg
|genus = Asparagus
|species = setaceus
|synonyms_ref = {{Cite POWO | id = 531312-1 | title = Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop | access-date = 2024-12-10}}
|synonyms = {{Linked species list
| Asparagopsis setacea |Kunth
| Asparagus asiaticus var. amharicus |Pic.Serm.
| Asparagus lujae |De Wild.
| Asparagus plumosus |Baker
| Asparagus plumosus nanus |Van Geert
| Asparagus plumosus var. tenuissimus |(Van Geert) L.H.Bailey
| Asparagus tenuissimus |Van Geert
| Asparagus zanzibaricus |Baker
| Protasparagus plumosus |(Baker) Oberm.
| Protasparagus setaceus |(Kunth) Oberm.
}}
}}
Asparagus setaceus, with the common names of common asparagus fern, asparagus grass,Asparagus Grass, Adrian Deans, (2023, Hague Publishing) Science fiction novel where a noxious weed becomes a metaphor for a secret alien invasion. lace fern, climbing asparagus, or ferny asparagus, is a plant in the family Asparagaceae native to southern Africa.{{cite PLANTS |taxon = Asparagus setaceus |date = 2006-10-01 |symbol=ASSE12 |access-date = 2006-10-01 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060926041919/http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ASSE12 |archive-date = 2006-09-26 |url-status = live}} Despite its common name, the plant is not a true fern, but has leaves that resemble one.{{cite book|last=Zachos|first=Ellen|title=Tempting Tropicals: 175 Irresistible Indoor Plants|publisher=Timber Press|year=2005|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780881927320/page/112 112]|isbn=0-88192-732-5|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780881927320/page/112}}
Naming
Originally described by the German botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth, its Latin specific epithet setaceus means "hairy".{{cite book |author = Simpson DP |title = Cassell's Latin Dictionary |publisher = Cassell Ltd. |year = 1979 |edition = 5 |location = London |isbn=0-304-52257-0}}
Description
File:Starr 080117-1771 Asparagus setaceus.jpg
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.{{Cite web | url = http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=V16 | title = Climbing Asparagus | website=www.weeds.org.au |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927170431/http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=V16 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |access-date=2011-09-27}} They are reportedly toxic upon consumption. If eaten, they can lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain.{{Cite web |last=Walliser |first=Jessica |date=2021-11-30 |title=Plumosa Fern: How to Grow and Care for This Unique Houseplant |url=https://savvygardening.com/plumosa-fern/ |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=Savvy Gardening |language=en-US}}
Distribution
Asparagus setaceus is native to Southern Africa, extending south west as far as Calitzdorp in the Karoo.{{cn|date=December 2024}}
It is grown elsewhere as an ornamental plant and has become an invasive species in several locations where it has been introduced.{{cite web |title = Asparagus setaceus |work = Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) |publisher = Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry |date = 2005-12-03 |url = http://www.hear.org/pier/species/asparagus_setaceus.htm |access-date = 2006-10-01 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060819172949/http://www.hear.org/pier/species/asparagus_setaceus.htm |archive-date= 2006-08-19 |url-status = live}}
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 {{cvt|1|C|F|abbr=on}}, but does not tolerate being frozen. Therefore in temperate zones it is normally cultivated indoors in bright, indirect light.
This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web |url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/27185/i-Asparagus-setaceus-i/Details |title = RHS Plantfinder - Asparagus setaceus |publisher = Royal Horticultural Society |access-date = 2018-01-12}}
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.{{cite web |url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=57770 |title=Asparagus plumosus |date=1994 |work=Flora of Australia Online |publisher=ABRS, Commonwealth of Australia |access-date=2009-07-29 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065842/http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=57770 |url-status=dead }} Other areas that regard it as an invasive species and noxious weed include the North Coast of New South Wales,{{cite web |url=http://www.bfns.org.au/index.php?c=2&w=56 |title=Asparagus (Climbing) (Asparagus plumosus) |last=NSW North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee |date=2004 |work=Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme website |publisher=Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme |access-date=2009-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913114100/http://www.bfns.org.au/index.php?c=2&w=56 |archive-date=2009-09-13 |url-status=dead }} and Queensland.{{cite web |url=http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7255_ENA_HTML.htm |title=Feathered asparagus fern |last=Sonia Jordan| date=2007| work=Queensland Gov't website| publisher=State of Queensland (Primary Industries and Fisheries within the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation)| access-date=2009-07-29| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090711100411/http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7255_ENA_HTML.htm |archive-date= 2009-07-11 |url-status = live}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Ten Household Plants Dangerous to Dogs and Cats {{!}} Neighorhood Pet Clinic |url=https://npcvet.com/10-household-plants-that-are-dangerous-to-dogs-and-cats/#:~:text=Asparagus%20fern%20(also%20called%20emerald,or%20abdominal%20pain%20can%20occur. |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=npcvet.com}}{{Cite web |title=Asparagus Fern Poisoning in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost |url=https://wagwalking.com/condition/asparagus-fern-poisoning |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=wagwalking.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Asparagus Fern {{!}} ASPCA |url=https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/asparagus-fern |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=www.aspca.org |language=en}}
References
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External links
{{commonscat}}
- [http://www.tropicos.org/Image/16535 photo of herbarium specimen at Missouri Botanical Garden, collected in Costa Rica in 1965]
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Category:Flora of Southern Africa
Category:Creepers of South Africa
Category:Plants described in 1850
Category:Taxa named by Carl Sigismund Kunth