Asparagus setaceus
(Kunth) Jessop
Feathery asparagus
(c) alessandradalia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by alessandradalia
(c) Gaby, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Gaby
(c) Phil White, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Phil White
What to Eat
Edible parts: Shoots, Vegetable
Edible Parts: Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Young shoots. No more details are given but it is likely that they are cooked and used like asparagus.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant. It grows in open forest. It is best in moist soil and a partly shaded position. It is damaged by frost and drought.
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Botswana, China, East Africa, Eswatini, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lesotho, Malawi, Marquesas, Mozambique, Nauru, North America, Pacific, Rotuma, SE Asia, South Africa*, Southern Africa, South America, Swaziland, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
How to Identify
An evergreen vine. It is twining or trailing. It has strong thorns. The stems are wiry and it climbs 2 m high. The leaves are small and flat and arranged like a feather. The flowers are small and white. They are 3 mm long. The fruit are red to black berries. They have 1-3 seeds.
How to Grow
Plants can be grown by seed or division of the rhizome.
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. 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. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Other Uses
None known Special Uses
Wikipedia
Source ↗Asparagus setaceus, with the common names of common asparagus fern, asparagus grass, lace fern, climbing asparagus, or ferny asparagus, is a plant in the family Asparagaceae native to southern Africa. Despite its common name, the plant is not a true fern, but has leaves that resemble one.
Names & Synonyms
Asparagus fern, Asparagus pemanjat, Ilutwa, Mahlabane, Pakis asparagus, Ruringare, Silevu sembuti, Umutsi weklubeleka
