Bushy asparagus
Asparagus aethiopicus
Bushy asparagus
Legal Status: Unwanted Organism - BNZ
Status in New Zealand: Established
Organism: Land plants
Other common names
fern asparagus, emerald feather, Sprengeri fern, Sprenger’s asparagus (Scientific Name: Asparagus aethiopicus ‘Sprengeri’), foxtail fern, possum tail
Synonyms
A. aethiopicus
Description
Two growth forms are known:
- (1) cultivar “Sprengeri” is a trailing scrambler with stems that are branched towards tips, and sparse cladodes (flattened leaf-like stems,10-25 mm) that are flat in cross section
- (2) cultivar “Meyeri” has erect stems to 700 mm forming a dense cylinder, and is covered in cladodes (5-10 mm) that are triangular in cross section. Both cultivars have small tubers, thin wiry stems, tiny pinkish flowers and bright red berries.
Impact
Bushy asparagus forms dense patches, is tough and has long-lived tubers that resprout.
What to do
Contact your regional council to determine the status of this species and responsibility for control and/or advice on control.
Page last updated: 15 January 2010