Scientific Name:
Asparagus retrofractus
Pronunciation:
uh-SPARE-uh-gus re-trow-FRAC-tuss
Common Name:
Ming fern, pom pom asparagus fern
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Plant Type:
Flowering cut plant, Indoor foliage plant
Key ID Features:
Fern-like to some, stem zig-zags; leaves reduced to scales; cladophylls needle-like, 1-3cm long x about 0.5mm wide, in clusters of 20-30 forming a "pom pom".
Habit:
Irregular, Spreading
Form:
Irregular
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
1.5 - 2.0m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Africa (South Africa)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 9: (-7 to -1 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Well-drained
Water Use:
High
Landscape Uses:
Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Hanging basket, Indoor plant (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound, Fern-like
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Compound Leaf:
Bipinnate
Shapes:
Acicular
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Truncate
Margins:
Entire
Additional Info:
'Leaves' are modified stems called cladophylls; true leaves reduced to spines.
Inflorescence Type:
Umbel
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, White
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun
Fruit Type:
Berry (true)
Fruit Colour:
Orange, Red, Black
Fruiting Time:
Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Showy, Poisonous but rarely seen locally
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Spines, Cladophylls
Propagation:
Seed
Optimal Temp.:
Medium
Light Level:
Medium
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids, Fungal leaf spot, Mealybugs, Mites, Scale insects (Disease resistant, Drought tolerant)
