California Invasive Plant Council

Asparagus setaceus

Synonyms: Asparagus lujae, Asparagus plumosus, Asparagus tenuissimus, Asparagus zanzibaricus, Asparagus asiaticus var. amharicus

Common names: common Asparagus fern

Asparagus setaceus is a perennial vine native to South Africa. It is popular in the horticultural industry, especially as a houseplant. Asparagus setaceus reproduces by seed and rhizome; and it is dispersed by birds and humans. This species is invasive in Australia, Cuba, and New Zealand. It can be distinguished by its wiry stems with many, alternately-branching branchlets, feathery appearance, and small (4-10mm) needle-like, whorled leaves. It forms dense thickets, ensnares trees with its vining habit and thorns and displaces native vegetation. On horticultural sites, Asparagus species are often described as a genus, as “Asparagus fern”, or under outdated/incorrect species names.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

CDFA Rating: None?

Explanation of CDFA ratings

• A – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and is either not known to be established in California or it is present in a limited distribution that allows for the possibility of eradication or successful containment.
• B – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is of limited distribution.
• C – A pest of known economic or environmental detriment and, if present in California, it is usually widespread.
• D – An organism known to be of little or no economic or environmental detriment, to have an extremely low likelihood of weediness, or is known to be a parasite or predator.
• Q – An organism or disorder suspected to be of economic or environmental detriment, but whose status is uncertain because of incomplete identification or inadequate information.
• * – An asterisk next to the rating indicates that a plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds.
• -* – This plant is included in the CCR Section 4500 list of California State Noxious Weeds, but is otherwise not rated.

More details

Assessment(s)

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

Weed Management Notes

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Asparagus setaceus Information

• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
• EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
• GBIF - Global distribution information.
• Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
• USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
• The Plant List - Global taxonomic resource and collaborative clearinghouse from Kew Gardens, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Missouri Botanic Garden and others.

Additional photos