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Asparagus setaceus
Asparagaceae FAMILY

Asparagus setaceus

Asparagus setaceus

Edibility
1/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Climber
Growth—

Easily grown in any good garden soil[1]. Prefers a moist soil in a partially shaded position[2]. The plant is commonly grown as an ornamental, and has escaped from cultivation in many areas. It is spread mainly by birds, who eat the fruit then void the seed. It also spreads in situ by means of long, slender rhizomes[3]. It has become a serious weed in some places, where it can invade native forests[3]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as ripe. Pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in pots. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on until large enough to plant out into their permanent positions[PFAF]. Division of the tuberous rootstock. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-19. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Asparagus+setaceus>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

  1. [1]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  2. [2]Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide — Whistler. W. Arthur. · Timber Press Inc. Oregon. · 2000 · ISBN 0-88192-448-2 ↩︎An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
  3. [3]Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk — http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html ↩︎A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands.
  4. [4]Growing from Seed. Volume 2. — Rice. G. (Editor) · Thompson and Morgan. · 1988 · ISBN - ↩︎Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.
  5. [5]Flora of Zimbabwe — http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/ ↩︎Over 2,000 species as of 2009 (and growing). Each record usually has at least one photo with a botanical description of the plant, range, habitat etc. A very useful site.
  6. [6]Plants for Human Consumption. — Kunkel. G. · Koeltz Scientific Books · 1984 · ISBN 3874292169 ↩︎An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
  7. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎