Asparagus setaceus

Common Asparagus Fern[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
clade:	Angiosperms
clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Asparagoideae
Genus:	Asparagus (genus)
Species:	A. setaceus
Binomial name
Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop
Synonyms
Asparagopsis setacea Kunth Asparagus plumosus Baker Protasparagus plumosus (Baker) Oberm. Protasparagus setaceus (Kunth) Oberm.

Asparagus setaceus, commonly known as Common Asparagus Fern, Lace Fern, Climbing Asparagus, or Ferny Asparagus, is a vine plant in the genus Asparagus.^[2] Despite its common name, the plant is not a true fern, but has leaves that resemble one.^[3]

It is native to Southern Africa, but is grown elsewhere as an ornamental plant. It has become an invasive species in several locations where it has been introduced.^[4] Originally described by the German botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth, its specific name is derived from the Latin saeta "hair" or "bristle", hence "hairy".^[5] Some authorities use the name A. plumosus (plumosus Latin "plumed", referring to the foliage) as described by Baker in 1875 for this plant,^[6]

Asparagus setaceus is a scrambling perennial herb with tough green stems, 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. 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.^[7]

The fruit (berries) of this plant are toxic and should not be eaten.

The attractive foliage of Asparagus setaceus makes it desirable as an indoor or pot plant. It is very hardy and adapts readily to cultivation. The foliage is also used in floral arrangements.

It has become weedy in Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands.^[6] Other areas it regarded as a weed include the North Coast of New South Wales,^[8] and Queensland.^[9]

References

1. ^ "Asparagus setaceus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=193453. Retrieved 1 October 2006. 
2. ^ "Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop". PLANTS Profile. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006-10-01. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ASSE12. Retrieved 2006-10-01. 
3. ^ Zachos, Ellen (2005). Tempting tropicals: 175 Irresistible Indoor Plants. Timber Press. pp. 112. ISBN 0881927320. 
4. ^ "Asparagus setaceus". Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry. 2005-12-03. http://www.hear.org/pier/species/asparagus_setaceus.htm. Retrieved 2006-10-01. 
5. ^ Simpson DP (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary (5 ed.). London: Cassell Ltd.. ISBN 0-304-52257-0. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Asparagus plumosus". Flora of Australia Online. ABRS, ©Commonwealth of Australia. 1994. http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=6266. Retrieved 2009-07-29. 
7. ^ Climbing Asparagus
8. ^ NSW North Coast Weeds Advisory Committee (2004). "Asparagus (Climbing) (Asparagus plumosus)". Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme website. Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme. http://www.bfns.org.au/index.php?c=2&w=56. Retrieved 2009-07-29. 
9. ^ 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). http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7255_ENA_HTML.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-29.