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Scientific Name:
Asparagus setaceus
Pronunciation:
ah-SPAIR-ah-gus suh-TAY-see-us
Common Name:
plumosus fern
Family Name:
Asparagaceae
Plant Type:
Flowering cut plant, Indoor foliage plant, Vine or climber
Key ID Features:
Leaves are needle-like, scaly, and resemble the appearance of a fern; thorns ridge along the side of the stems.

Habit:
Spreading, Upright
Form:
Weeping
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Origin:
Africa
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 9: (-7 to -1 °C)
Exposure:
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Alkaline
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Cut flower or foliage, Indoor plant
Additional Info:

Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound, Fern-like
Arrangement:
Alternate, Fascicles
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Compound Leaf:
Tripinnate
Colour in Summer:
Green, Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Acicular
Margins:
Additional Info:
'Leaves' are modified stems called cladophylls; true leaves reduced to basal spines.

Inflorescence Type:
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
3
Corolla Shape:
Campanulate
Colour (petals):
Showy, White
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Oct
Additional Info:
Six tepals

Fruit Type:
Berry (true)
Fruit Colour:
Purple, Black
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Sep
Additional Info:
poisonous

Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Spines, Tuberous roots
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Optimal Temp.:
Medium
Light Level:
Medium
Maintenance:
Medium
Other:
Needs regular repotting or division.
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant)

Course(s):
  • HORT 1155
  • HORT 1193/1293
Location(s):
  • (GNH)  GreeNHouse
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