Asparagus aethiopicus

Wild asparagus

Asparagaceae Edible: Shoots, Leaves Potential hazards — see below 12,361 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Asparagus aethiopicus, Sprenger's asparagus, is a plant native to the Cape Provinces and the Northern Provinces of South Africa. Often used as an ornamental plant, it is considered an invasive weed in many locations. Asparagus fern, asparagus grass and foxtail fern are common names; however, it is unrelated to true ferns. A. aethiopicus has been confused with A. densiflorus, now regarded as a separate species, so that information about A. aethiopicus will often be found under the name A. densiflorus.

Description

A scrambling plant. It grows from a thick tuberous root growing on the rhizomes or underground stems. The stems are thin and flattened and look like leaves. The flowers are white or pale pink and bell shaped. They are 4 mm long. They are in groups. The fruit is a berry 8 mm across. There are one or more black seeds.

Edible Uses

The shoots and leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Traditional Uses

The plant is eaten as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Known Hazards

Asparagus aethiopicus is grown as an indoor plant in cooler climates, or as an ornamental garden plant in urban gardens, rockeries or in pots. 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. Consuming the berries of A. aethiopicus 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.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate and tropical plant. It grows well in shaded areas.

Where It Grows

Africa, Australia, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Nauru, Pacific, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tasmania, West Indies, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seeds or sections of the stem.

Notes

It has become a serious weed in some parts of Australia.

Synonyms

Asparagopsis aethiopica (L.) KunthAsparagopsis lancea (Thunb.) KunthAsparagus aculeatus VossAsparagus laetus Salisb.Asparagus maximus VossAsparagus sprengeri RegelProtoasparagus aethiopicus (L.) Oberm.

References (6)

Long, C., 2005, Swaziland's Flora - siSwati names and Uses http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/
Ruiters-Welcome, A. K., 2019, Food plants of southern Africa. Ph.D. thesis. Univ. of Johannesburg p 30
van der Burg, W.J., 2004. Asparagus flagellaris (Kunth) Baker. [Internet] Record from Protabase. Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. < http://database.prota.org/search.htm>. Accessed 13 October 2009.
van Wyk, Be., & Gericke, N., 2007, People's plants. A Guide to Useful Plants of Southern Africa. Briza. p 68
Welcome, A. K. & Van Wyk, B.-E., 2019, An inventory and analysis of the food plants of southern Africa. South African Journal of Botany 122 (2019) 136–179

Show all 6 references