Asparagus africanus

Lam.

Wild asparagus, Bush asparagus

Asparagaceae Edible: Shoots, Root, Seed, Fruit Potential hazards — see below 1,262 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Asparagus africanus, also known as African asparagus, bush asparagus, wild asparagus, climbing asparagus fern, ornamental asparagus and sparrow grass, is an African species of plant that is found in a variety of habitats. It has multiple medicinal properties and is used to treat various ailments.

Description

An erect shrub. It can be a scrambler or climbing. It grows 1.7 m high. It has wiry spiny branches. It grows each year from a woody base. The leaves are reduced to very small scales. There are clusters or leaf-like needles in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white or greenish-white. They are borne in the axils. The fruit are small red berries. They turn black when old.

Edible Uses

The young shoot tips are eaten after being dug out and peeled. The fleshy root tubers are eaten after extended cooking. The fruit are sucked and are nutritious.

Traditional Uses

The young shoot tips are eaten. They are dug out, peeled and chewed. The fleshy root tubers can be eaten after extended cooking. The fruit are sucked.

Medicinal Uses

The new shoots are harvested and eaten as a vegetable. They are seen as being a good source of fiber and various vitamins. The roots are also boiled and eaten. The fruit are mainly only eaten during times of famine. The stems and underground components of the plants are used to treat a wide variety of conditions in a variety of cultures. Research has found that they improve the functioning of the immune system in laboratory animals, providing insight as to why this plant is so widely utilised. It is, for example, seen as a valuable medicinal plant by people living in Ethiopia. The Zay people of Ethiopia use the cladodes on their skin to treat skin lesions. They also feed equines the roots and cladodes to treat geregelcha, a disease in which mucus continuously comes out of the nose of the animal. The root tubers mixed with milk are used after birth to help expel the afterbirth. It is also used as a form of birth control by rural women in Uganda. In South Africa, it is used to treat headaches, STIs, stomach aches, sore throats and malaria, amongst other conditions. Compounds found in the roots have been found to be an effective anti-parasitic and anti-protozoan, including against Plasmodium falciparum, the most deadly form of malaria in humans. Methanolic extracts from the roots have also been found to have pain relief and anti-inflammatory properties.

Known Hazards

The roots and branchlets are ingredients of arrow-poison.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the moist sand of bush savannah in West Africa. In Tanzania it grows up to 2,500 m above sea level in areas with 1,000-1,700 mm rainfall. It becomes common after burning.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Nigeria, North Africa, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown by seeds or root suckers.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in containers in a lightly shaded position. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position until ready to plant out. Division as the plant comes into growth.

Other Uses

The leaves are used in ointments by native women to stimulate the growth of hair. The wiry stems are used for preparing traps and snares for small animals, and for making cord. The woody stem parts are used for making pencils

Production

Shoots are collected during the rainy season.

Other Information

They are eaten especially by children and herdsmen.

Notes

There are between 160-300 Asparagus species. The fruit are nutritious.

Synonyms

Asparagus asiaticus auct.Protasparagus africanus (Lam.) Oberm.Asparagus pubescens Bak.

Also Known As

Argeeg, Baraare, Hide sere, Hingarta, Hinkarta, Kasesanhanga, Kalipembeze, Kasolanhanga, Lagwar, Lukungwisa, Mwinika nguu, Seriti, Tshobatshobane

References (22)

Addis, G., Asfaw, Z & Woldu, Z., 2013, Ethnobotany of Wild and Semi-wild Edible Plants of Konso Ethnic Community, South Ethiopia. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 11:121-141
Bahru, T., et al, 2013, Wild Edible Plants: Sustainable Use and Management by Indigenous Communities in and the Buffer Area of Awah National Park, Ethiopia. Ethiop. J. Sci., 36(2): 93-108
Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 45
Burkill, H. M., 1985, The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 3. Kew.
Dalziel, J. M., 1937, The Useful plants of west tropical Africa. Crown Agents for the Colonies London.

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