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Species
Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessop
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
United States
Origin: Exotic
Regularity: Regularly occurring
Currently: Unknown/Undetermined
Confidence: Confident
Subshrubs hermaphroditic. Stems ± climbing, branched, to 1 m; branches distinctly striate-ridged. Cladodes in fascicles of 1--5, linear, 1--3 cm × 1.5--2.5 mm, flat. Leaf spur spinescent; spine slightly hooked, 3--5 mm and sharp on main stems, very short and not sharp on branches, woody. Inflorescences developing after cladodes, solitary or paired, axillary, each a many-flowered raceme or panicle 2--2.5 cm; bracts linear, 2--5 mm. Pedicel ca. 2 mm, articulate at middle. Perianth white; segments oblong-ovate, ca. 2 mm. Stamens shorter than perianth; anthers minute. Berry red, 8--10 mm in diam., 1- or 2-seeded. Fl. throughout year. 2 n = 40, 60.
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Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200027562 |
Asparagopsis densiflora Kunth, Enum. Pl. 5: 96. 1850; Asparagus sprengeri Regel.
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Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200027562 |
Commonly cultivated and occasionally becoming naturalized [native to S Africa].
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=2&taxon_id=200027562 |
Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 2
Specimens with Barcodes: 4
Species With Barcodes: 1
United States
Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable
Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked
Asparagus densiflorus, Sprenger's Asparagus, is a weed native to South Africa, which is often used as an ornamental plant. Asparagus fern is a common name; however, it is unrelated to true ferns.[1] Some authorities also use the name A. aethiopicus as originally described by Linnaeus for this plant.[2][3]
Contents |
Name and Description
The attribution "Sprenger's Asparagus," refers to Carl Ludwig Sprenger who made it popular in Europe as an ornamental plant. It was originally described by the German botanist Carl Sigismund Kunth, and given its current name by South African botanist John Peter Jessop.
Asparagus densiflorus is a branching perennial herb with tough green aerial stems which are sparsely covered with spines. The 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 tubers, from which plants may resprout.[4]
Distribution
Asparagus densiflorus is native to southeastern coastal regions of South Africa, in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.[5]
In the United States, it has been declared a weed in Hawaii,[6] and Florida.[7] It has also been declared a weed in New Zealand,[8] and has become established around major urban areas in Australia including Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Southeastern Queensland, and Adelaide,[4] as well as Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.[2] Seeds are spread by fruit-eating birds and improper disposal of garden refuse.[4] The Pied Currawong is a culprit in Sydney.[9] It can be eradicated by glyphosate,[10] or manual removal of tubers.[11]
Growing Asparagus densiflorus
Asparagus densiflorus is grown as an indoor plant in cooler climates, or as an ornamental garden plant in urban gardens, rockeries or in pots. It is very hardy. 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.[8]
Consuming the berries of Asparagus densiflorus 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.[12]
References
- ^ Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening in Canada. The Reader's Digest Association (Canada) Ltd.: 1979. Calkins, Carrol C., ed.
ISBN 0888500815 - ^ a b "Asparagus aethiopicus". Flora of Australia Online. ABRS, ©Commonwealth of Australia. 1994. http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=6265. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
- ^ "FNA Vol. 26 Page 213, 214: Asparagus aethiopicus". Flora of North America. Flora of North America. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101423. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
- ^ a b c 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.
- ^ Jamieson HG. "Asparagus densiflorus". South African National Biodiversity Institute's plant information website. SANBI. http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/asparagdens.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ^ Asparagus densiflorus information from HEAR
- ^ Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2007 List of Invasive Plant Species
- ^ a b Asparagus densiflorus
- ^ "Asparagus Densiflorus - Asparagus Fern". Lane Cove Council - Our Environment. Lane Cove Council, NSW. http://www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/Our%20Environment/natural%20environment/Noxious%20Weeds/NoxiousWeedDescriptions-Asparagusdensiflorus.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ^ Wolff, p. 104
- ^ Wolff, p. 80
- ^ Asparagus Fern
- Auld, B.; Medd,R. (1987) Weeds., page 30.
- Harden, G. (ed) (1993) Flora of NSW., vol. 4, page 46.
- Parsons, W.; Cuthbertson, E. (1992) Noxious Weeds of Australia., pages 47–48.
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Source | http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Asparagus_densiflorus&oldid=429932175 |