Asparagus virgatus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Asparagus virgatus

Asparagus virgatus cultivation
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Asparagoideae
Genus:	Asparagus
Species:	A. virgatus
Binomial name
*Asparagus virgatus* Baker
Synonyms
Asparagus sylvaticus Burch. ex Baker Protasparagus virgatus (Baker) Oberm.

Asparagus virgatus is a species of flowering plant in the Asparagaceae family.^[1] It indigenous to South Eastern Africa. It is also known as tree fern, tiki fern,^[2] and African broom fern.^[3] Asparagus virgatus is a member of the genus Asparagus, and not a true fern.

Description

The plant grows several fine bushy stems with needle like leaves, reaching over one meter in length. This perennial plant produces small white flowers during spring, and small spherical red fruits that then turn black as they mature.

This plant can be found growing in the shady undergrowth, especially along rivers. Although water loving, this plant is able to survive with little water.

Uses

Unlike edible Asparagus officinalis, A. virgatus has little or no nutritional value to people.

Cut flower industry

A. virgatus is of commercial value, used world wide in the cut flower industry as foliage. The plant produces attractive green bushy stems with fine needle like leaves.

When combined with rose, gerbera, and other focal flowers it forms an attractive floral display. Vase life is typically two weeks. High quality stems can be identified by the fresh green color, and stem length.

Major producing areas include South Africa, Central America, Florida, Israel, and the Near East.

References

^ "Asparagus virgatus Baker". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
^ Florida Agriculture http://www.florida-agriculture.com/consumers/tree_fern.htm
^ Plant Database "Asparagus virgatus - African broom fern". Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2011-11-16.

Taxon identifiers

Asparagus virgatus

Wikidata: Q4807701
Wikispecies: Asparagus virgatus
APDB: 34672
APNI: 116243
CoL: HBN9
EoL: 990137
FoAO2: Asparagus virgatus
GBIF: 2768517
GRIN: 5560
iNaturalist: 495847
IPNI: 531381-1
NCBI: 253809
NSWFlora: Asparagus~virgatus
NZOR: e7473e1c-b605-49fb-9626-07fdf1c2601e
Open Tree of Life: 707056
Plant List: kew-275360
POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:531381-1
SANBI: 728-108
Tropicos: 18400520
WFO: wfo-0000635470

Categories:

Hidden categories: