Asparagus virgatus

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.

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
Synonyms

Asparagus sylvaticus Burch. ex Baker
Protasparagus virgatus (Baker) Oberm.

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 seeds that are black in color.

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.

gollark: Catzrule: find one everyone hates.
gollark: Probably nothing will happen, but it'll still be quite funny.
gollark: For what?
gollark: Probably people will just learn to be happy with the trickles of other dragons pouring in as stuff begins to run down to 0 days.
gollark: Perhaps a modified version which won't allow walls somehow, who knows.

References
  1. "Asparagus virgatus Baker". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  2. Florida Agriculture http://www.florida-agriculture.com/consumers/tree_fern.htm
  3. Plant Database "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-04-06. Retrieved 2011-11-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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