Asparagus setaceus
(asparagus fern)

Preferred Scientific Name

• Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop

Preferred Common Name

• asparagus fern

Other Scientific Names

• Asparagopsis setacea Kunth
• Asparagus asiaticus var. amharicus Pic.Serm.
• Asparagus lujae De Wild.
• Asparagus plumosus Baker
• Asparagus zanzibaricus Baker
• Protasparagus plumosus (Baker) Oberm.
• Protasparagus setaceus (Kunth) Oberm.

International Common Names

• English: climbing asparagus fern; common asparagus fern; lacy asparagus fern
• Spanish: creston; helecho de agua
• French: asperge plumeuse
• Chinese: wen zhu

Local Common Names

• Cuba: espárrago espumoso; espárrago plumoso; pinito de amor; tuya sensible
• Dominican Republic: céfiro
• Germany: Zier- Spargel
• Haiti: mousseline
• Lesser Antilles: mousseline
• Netherlands: asperge, pluim-
• Puerto Rico: abeto; ala de pájaro; helecho plumoso

EPPO code

• ASPPL (Asparagus plumosus)

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Plantae
•         Phylum: Spermatophyta
•             Subphylum: Angiospermae
•                 Class: Monocotyledonae
•                     Order: Liliales
•                         Family: Liliaceae
•                             Genus: Asparagus
•                                 Species: Asparagus setaceus

The genus Asparagus is a member of the Asparagaceae family (Stevens, 2012). The exact number of species in the genus is uncertain with estimates between 120 and more than 300 species distributed primarily across the Old World with a diversification hotspot in South Africa (Dahlgren et al., 1985; Kubota et al., 2012; Norup et al., 2015). Although represented by diverse life forms, including herbaceous perennials, tender woody shrubs, and vines, all Asparagus species are characterized by the presence of photosynthetic stems (Kubota et al., 2012).

At present, there is a confusion in the application of the names for two South African species: Asparagus setaceus and A. plumosus. A widely accepted taxonomic revision of the South African species recognized only one species: A. setaceus and listed the species A. plumosus as a synonym (Jessop, 1966; The Plant List, 2013). Until now, most horticultural and taxonomic reference works have followed this classification. However, some authors consider that these two species can be distinguished by the arrangement of their cladodes (Fellingham and Meyer, 1995; Imada et al., 2000):

• all clades in one plane = A. plumosus

• clades radiating in many planes = A. setaceus

If this classification is followed, then the species widespread in cultivation is to be called A. plumosus, while the wild type A. setaceus does not occur in cultivation (Imada et al., 2000; PIER, 2016). PIER gives listings for both species, though with reciprocal links. Here we followed the classification proposed by The Plant List (2013), thus we are considering A. plumosus a synonym of A. setaceus (Govaerts, 2016). The species epithet setaceus is derived from the Latin saeta "hair" or "bristle", hence "hairy," while plumosus derives from the Latin for “plumed”, referring to the foliage. Despite the common name of asparagus fern, the plant is not a true fern, but has leaves resembling one.

Herbs hermaphroditic. Stems climbing, much branched, to several metres, slightly woody near base; branches spreading horizontally, with branchlets and cladodes arranged in one plane, frond-like. Cladodes in fascicles of 10-13, 4-5 mm, very slender, slightly trigonous. Leaf spur short, occasionally spinescent on main stems. Inflorescences developing after cladodes. Flowers solitary or in clusters of 2 or 3; pedicel short, articulate at middle. Perianth white; segments widely spreading, lanceolate-oblong, approximately 7 mm. The fruit are small rounded berries (4-5 mm across) and are initially green in colour. These berries turn black or bluish-black as they mature and contain one to three seeds (2.5-3.5 mm across) that are also black in colour (Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2016).

A. setaceus has been widely introduced across tropical and subtropical regions of the world (USDA-ARS, 2016). This species is often planted as an ornamental and indoor pot plant. In the West Indies, it first appeared in herbarium collections made in 1921 in St Croix, 1926 in Cuba, 1927 in Jamaica and 1928 in Hispaniola (US National Herbarium). In Hawaii, it was first documented as naturalized and spreading outside cultivation in 1995 (Lorence et al., 1995).

Soil drainage

• free

Soil reaction

• acid
• neutral

Soil texture

• heavy
• light
• medium

A. setaceus spreads mostly by seeds. Its berries are readily eaten and dispersed by frugivorous birds and other animals. Seeds may also be spread in dumped garden waste (Weeds of Australia, 2016). Older plants can also spread by means of long, slender rhizomes (PIER, 2016; PROTA, 2016).

A. setaceus is a serious environmental weed. The seeds of this species are easily dispersed by birds into nearby natural forests and disturbed sites. Once established, this species grows forming dense thickets that smother and outcompete native plant species and other more desirable plants. It is also an accomplished climber and easily scrambles over other vegetation up into the canopy (PIER, 2016; PROTA, 2016; Weeds of Australia, 2016).

The fruit (berries) of A. setaceus are toxic and should not be eaten by humans (PROTA, 2016).

• Proved invasive outside its native range
• Has a broad native range
• Abundant in its native range
• Highly adaptable to different environments
• Is a habitat generalist
• Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
• Pioneering in disturbed areas
• Highly mobile locally
• Long lived
• Fast growing
• Reproduces asexually

• Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
• Modification of successional patterns
• Monoculture formation
• Reduced native biodiversity
• Threat to/ loss of native species

• Competition - monopolizing resources
• Competition - shading
• Competition - smothering
• Competition - strangling
• Hybridization
• Poisoning
• Pollen swamping
• Predation
• Rapid growth
• Rooting
• Produces spines, thorns or burrs

• Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
• Difficult to identify/detect in the field
• Difficult/costly to control

A. setaceus is often cultivated as an ornamental plant, for planting in gardens, yards and as an indoor pot plant. Its attractive foliage is also used in floral arrangements (USDA-ARS, 2016). It is also planted as a medicinal plant. Extracts from the shoots are used for cardiac diseases, while root decoctions are used as a diuretic medicine. The dried plant is reported to possess antibiotic properties. It is used as a malaria remedy (PROTA, 2016; USDA-ARS, 2016).