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Asparagus setaceus - (Kunth.)Jessop.

Common Name Asparagus Fern, Common asparagus fern, Plumosa Fern
Family Asparagaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Mainly found in moist forests from Southern Cape province to Natal and north to Malawi.
Range S. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Asparagus setaceus Asparagus Fern, Common asparagus fern, Plumosa Fern


http://www.hear.org/starr/
Asparagus setaceus Asparagus Fern, Common asparagus fern, Plumosa Fern
http://www.hear.org/starr/

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Asparagus setaceus is an evergreen Climber growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Protasparagus setaceus. (Kunth.)Oberm.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots  Stem
Edible Uses:

Young shoots[177]. No more details are given but it is likely that they are cooked and used like asparagus[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Erosion control, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Seashore. Easily grown in any good garden soil[200]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[1]. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[260]. It might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given a warm sheltered position[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[134]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Asparagus abyssinicus Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNDM20 
Asparagus acutifolius Perennial1.5 7-10  LMSNDM30 
Asparagus adscendens Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM21 
Asparagus albus Perennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNDM10 
Asparagus aphyllus Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNDM20 
Asparagus cochinchinensisChinese AsparagusPerennial1.5 6-9  LMHSNM332
Asparagus dauricus Perennial0.6 -  LMNDM10 
Asparagus filicinusFern AsparagusPerennial0.7 7-10  LMHSNM21 
Asparagus maritimus Perennial0.6 -  LMNDM10 
Asparagus officinalisAsparagus, Garden asparagusPerennial1.5 2-9  LMHSNM432
Asparagus racemosusShatavariPerennial7.0 8-11  LMHSNDM351
Asparagus sauveolens Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Asparagus schoberioides Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM21 
Asparagus stipularis Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Asparagus tenuifolius Perennial1.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Asparagus verticillatus Perennial4.0 5-9  LMHSNM20 
Lotus tetragonolobusAsparagus Pea, Winged peaAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHNDM30 
Ornithogalum pyrenaicumBath Asparagus, Pyrenees star of BethlehemBulb0.6 5-9  LMHSNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Kunth.)Jessop.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Paul Darrington   Wed Feb 6 2008

Asparagus plumosus is a noxious weed here in Australia. It produces many small, watery tubers that have a very bland taste. Despite the bland taste, the fact that it grows in such abundance, would make it an ideal wild edible, however.. I can not find any information on its ediblity or constituents (tubers or berries), and therefore would not reccomend it to anyone as an edible. so far we have had no reactions to eat, in the small quantites we've consumed (raw). amongst its bland watery flavour, there is a very very mild flavour of some alkaloid. sorry i could not provide a conclusive 'yes or no' on this yet.

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