You are here
Species
Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce, 1914
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
Vines, erect to deflexed, branching, climbing to 1.5 m; roots tuberous. Stems slender, to 3 m, wiry, smooth to slightly ridged; cladophylls solitary at each node, broadly lanceolate to ovate, 15–35 × 5–15(–20) mm, leathery, with 20–24 parallel veins. Leaves membranous, 1–2 mm; blade broadly lanceolate. Inflorescences in axillary umbels, 1–3(–4)-flowered. Flowers bisexual; perianth campanulate; tepals white, with green median stripe abaxially, 5–7 × 1–1.5 mm; pedicel 5–8 mm, with hard, raised joint 1–3 mm above base. Berries red, 6–8 mm. Seeds 1–4(–6). 2n = 20.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101424 |
Medeola asparagoides Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 339. 1753
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101424 |
Waste places, open forests, roadsides; 0--100m.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101424 |
Frequent
Flowering spring--summer.
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101424 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 1
Specimens with Barcodes: 3
Species With Barcodes: 1
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable
Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked
Asparagus asparagoides (African asparagus fern, Bridal creeper, Bridal-veil creeper, Gnarboola, Smilax, Smilax asparagus) is a plant native to Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, of the Asparagaceae family. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant.
Contents |
Uses
Asparagus asparagoides, often under the name smilax,[1][2] also found in artificial form[3] is commonly used in floral arrangements or home decorating.[4]
Invasive species
A. asparagoides is a major weed species in southern Australia and in New Zealand.
It was introduced to Australia from South Africa around 1857, for use as a foliage plant, especially in bridal bouquets (hence the common name). It has escaped into the bush and smothers the native vegetation with the thick foliage and thick underground mat of tubers which restrict root growth of other species. It is recognised as one of the 20 "weeds of national significance". The seeds are readily spread in the droppings of birds, rabbits and foxes, as well as the plant extending its root system.[5]CSIRO have introduced several biological controls in an attempt to reduce the spread and impact of the weed.[6]
In New Zealand A. asparagoides is listed under the National Pest Plant Accord and is classified as an "unwanted organism".[7]
A. asparagoides has also escaped cultivation in California.[8][9]
References
- ^ "smilax". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smilax.
- ^ smilax at yourdictionary.com
- ^ "Artifical Asparagus". http://www.silkplantsdirect.com/artificial-outdoor/view-all-products.html.
- ^ Edward Albert White (1923). Principles of flower arrangement. ISBN 978-1429756884. http://www.oldandsold.com/articles23/flower-arrangement-9.shtml
- ^ "bridal creeper". weed of the month. CRC weed management. Archived from the original on 2005-12-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20051215072601/http://weeds.crc.org.au/main/wom_bridal_creeper.html. Retrieved 2006-04-30.
- ^ "Bridal creeper, Asparagus asparagoides". CSIRO Division of Entomology. http://www.ento.csiro.au/biocontrol/bridal.html. Retrieved 2006-04-30.
- ^ "Smilax". Biosecurity New Zealand. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/smilax. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
- ^ "2. Asparagus asparagoides (Linnaeus) Druce". Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101424.
- ^ "Asparagus asparagoides (L.) Druce: African asparagus fern". PLANTS. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ASAS4.
Further reading
License | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ |
Rights holder/Author | Wikipedia |
Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asparagus_asparagoides&oldid=429932297 |