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, 07:41, 23 November 2011Created page with '{{SPlantbox |common_name=Asparagus fern, Sprenger's Asparagus |habit=herbaceous |habit_ref=Wikipedia |Min ht box=40 |Min ht metric=cm |Max ht box=70 |Max ht metric=cm |height_ref…'
{{SPlantbox
|common_name=Asparagus fern, Sprenger's Asparagus
|habit=herbaceous
|habit_ref=Wikipedia
|Min ht box=40
|Min ht metric=cm
|Max ht box=70
|Max ht metric=cm
|height_ref=Wikipedia
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Wikipedia
|exposure=sun, part-sun
|water=moist, moderate, dry
|features=evergreen, houseplant
|Temp Metric=°F
|image=Asparagus fern.JPG
|image_width=240
}}
'''''Asparagus densiflorus''''', '''Sprenger's Asparagus''', is a plant native to [[South Africa]]. Often used as an [[ornamental plant]], it is considered an invasive [[weed]] in many locations. '''Asparagus fern''' is a common name; however, it is unrelated to true ferns.<ref>''Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening in Canada.'' The Reader's Digest Association (Canada) Ltd.: 1979. Calkins, Carrol C., ''ed.''</br>ISBN 0888500815</ref> Some authorities also use the name '''''A. aethiopicus''''' as originally described by [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] for this plant.<ref name="FloraofAustralia">{{cite web|url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=6265|title=Asparagus aethiopicus|date=1994|work=Flora of Australia Online|publisher=ABRS, ©Commonwealth of Australia|accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101423|title=FNA Vol. 26 Page 213, 214: Asparagus aethiopicus|work=Flora of North America|publisher=Flora of North America|accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref>
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.<ref name=Wolff99>{{cite book |title=Winning the war of Weeds: The Essential Gardener's Guide to Weed Identification and Control |last=Wolff |first=Mark A. |year=1999 |publisher=Kangaroo Press |location=Kenthurst, NSW |isbn=0-86417-993-6|page=43}}</ref>
==Cultivation==
''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.<ref name=NZ/>
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.<ref>[http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/asparagus-fern.html Asparagus Fern]</ref>
===Propagation===
===Pests and diseases===
==Varieties==
==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
File:Asparagus densiflorus 19.jpg|Fibrous root system and fleshy tubers
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>
==References==
<references/>
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->
==External links==
*{{wplink}}
{{stub}}
__NOTOC__
|common_name=Asparagus fern, Sprenger's Asparagus
|habit=herbaceous
|habit_ref=Wikipedia
|Min ht box=40
|Min ht metric=cm
|Max ht box=70
|Max ht metric=cm
|height_ref=Wikipedia
|lifespan=perennial
|life_ref=Wikipedia
|exposure=sun, part-sun
|water=moist, moderate, dry
|features=evergreen, houseplant
|Temp Metric=°F
|image=Asparagus fern.JPG
|image_width=240
}}
'''''Asparagus densiflorus''''', '''Sprenger's Asparagus''', is a plant native to [[South Africa]]. Often used as an [[ornamental plant]], it is considered an invasive [[weed]] in many locations. '''Asparagus fern''' is a common name; however, it is unrelated to true ferns.<ref>''Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to Gardening in Canada.'' The Reader's Digest Association (Canada) Ltd.: 1979. Calkins, Carrol C., ''ed.''</br>ISBN 0888500815</ref> Some authorities also use the name '''''A. aethiopicus''''' as originally described by [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]] for this plant.<ref name="FloraofAustralia">{{cite web|url=http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=6265|title=Asparagus aethiopicus|date=1994|work=Flora of Australia Online|publisher=ABRS, ©Commonwealth of Australia|accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242101423|title=FNA Vol. 26 Page 213, 214: Asparagus aethiopicus|work=Flora of North America|publisher=Flora of North America|accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref>
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.<ref name=Wolff99>{{cite book |title=Winning the war of Weeds: The Essential Gardener's Guide to Weed Identification and Control |last=Wolff |first=Mark A. |year=1999 |publisher=Kangaroo Press |location=Kenthurst, NSW |isbn=0-86417-993-6|page=43}}</ref>
==Cultivation==
''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.<ref name=NZ/>
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.<ref>[http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/asparagus-fern.html Asparagus Fern]</ref>
===Propagation===
===Pests and diseases===
==Varieties==
==Gallery==
<gallery perrow=5>
File:Asparagus densiflorus 19.jpg|Fibrous root system and fleshy tubers
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
</gallery>
==References==
<references/>
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 -->
==External links==
*{{wplink}}
{{stub}}
__NOTOC__
