Asparagus setaceus
Bothalia 9: 51. 1966.
Common names: Climbing asparagus-fern lace-fern
Introduced
Basionym: Asparagopsis setacea Kunth Abh. Königl. Akad. Wiss. Berlin 1842: 82. 1842
Synonyms: Asparagus plumosus Baker
Vines, woody, scrambling or climbing to 5 m; roots fibrous. Stems to 4 m, wiry, smooth, branches planate; cladophylls in fascicles of (5–)8–20 per node, filiform, 4–10 × 0.5 mm, ± rigid, with single vein. Leaves membranous, 1–2 mm; blade forming short spine with reflexed apex, base hardened. Inflorescences terminally umbellate, 1–4-flowered. Flowers bisexual, nodding; perianth spreading, campanulate; tepals white, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm; pedicel 1–3 mm, jointed at or just above base. Berries purplish black, 4–5 mm. Seeds 1–3. 2n = 20.
Phenology: Flowering spring–summer.
Habitat: Waste places, abandoned gardens
Elevation: 0–100 m
Distribution
Introduced; Calif., Fla., s, e Africa.
Discussion
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.