Asparagus setaceus
Asparagus Fern
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Genus
- Asparagus
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Height
- 3 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
Uses
Edible uses
Young shoots[3]. No more details are given but it is likely that they are cooked and used like asparagus[K].
- Plant part
- Stem
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Climber
Environment
- Range
- S. Africa.
- Habitat
- Mainly found in moist forests from Southern Cape province to Natal and north to Malawi.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
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[2]. 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[K]. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.
Cultivation
Easily grown in any good garden soil[4]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[1]. This species is not very cold-hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c[5]. It might succeed outdoors in the mildest areas of the country if given a warm sheltered position[4]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5