Emerald Feather Asparagus densiflorus (Sprengeri group)
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-SPAIR-ah-gus den-sih-FLOR-us
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Erect, perennial herb; somewhat woody, branches gracefully arching and fern-like; leaves alternate and scale-like, terminal branchlets very narrow, flat, needle-like, in clusters of 3; flowers axillary, drooping, 6-parted, bell-shaped, yellow-green; fruit a bright red berry. Asparagus densiflorus is moderately salt tolerant.
Indoor herbaceous 'shrub' to 1 m, dense and compact to wide-spreading. Prefers medium warmth; water regularly in spring to autumn, sparingly in winter; intolerant of high light intensity, avoid direct sunlight; intolerant of constantly wet soil; pest problems.
Grown for the graceful feathery-like, fern-like foliage; sprays utilized in floral arrangements; adaptable to wide variations of light, temperature, and frequency of watering. Used in a hanging basket and as ground cover in indoor landscapes.
Family name Asparagaceae [formerly Liliaceae]
Quick ID Hints:
- Cladophylls are soft, green, needle-like, flattened**
- True leaves are spine-like projections on stem**
- Houseplant with fern-like foliage & yellowish blooms*
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Meyersii'
Branches congested, "fox-tail" or "bottle-brush" appearance with lateral pins short, all of equal lengths. - 'Splengeri'
With major branch elongated, lateral pins of variable length & elongate bearing lateral pins on them.
- 'Meyersii'
- 'Meyersii', 'Splengeri'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Meyersii'
Branches congested, "fox-tail" or "bottle-brush" appearance with lateral pins short, all of equal lengths. - 'Splengeri'
With major branch elongated, lateral pins of variable length & elongate bearing lateral pins on them.
- 'Meyersii'
- 'Meyersii', 'Splengeri'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Asparagus
- Species:
- densiflorus
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- South Africa
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- A bright red spherical berry.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Flowers axillary, drooping, 6-parted, bell-shaped, yellow-green. Inflorescence a short axillary raceme. Rare in interior settings.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Acicular
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves alternate and scale-like, terminal branchlets very narrow, flat, needle-like, in clusters of 3
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Erect or trailing, finely ridged, spiny, green or brown. Branches spreading with lateral pins short. CLADOPHYLLS minute, flat, linear, narrowly falcate, 1-nerved, spine-like.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Salt
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Eating of berries may cause gastrointestinal problems. Skin irritation with redness, swelling, and blisters following contact with sap
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Unknown
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
