Flowers in Israel: Ferny Asparagus

Asparagus setaceus, Asparagus plumosus, Ferny Asparagus, Climbing Asparagus Fern,

Hebrew: אספרג מנוצה, Arabic: سبرجس ناعم

Scientific name:   Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop
Synonym name:   Asparagus plumosus Baker
Common name:   Ferny Asparagus, Climbing Asparagus Fern
Hebrew name:   אספרג מנוצה
Arabic name:   اسبرجس ناعم
Family:   Liliaceae, Lily Family, שושניים


Life form:   Geophyte, climber
Spinescence:   Leaves
Stems:   90-120 cm; tough, wiry, armed with recurved spines
Leaves:   Alternate, scale-like; cladodes 8–15 in each axil, terete, 4–7 mm long, c. 0.5 mm wide, ± glabrous
Inflorescence:   Single or paired flowers, terminal on lateral branches; pedicels 1–2.5 mm long, jointed near base
Flowers:   Perianth campanulate; tepals 3-4 mm long, greenish to white; 6 yellow stamens
Fruits / pods:   Berry, globose; seeds globular, black
Flowering Period:   September, October, November
Habitat:   Disturbed habitats
Distribution:   Cultivated as an ornamental plant, invasive
Chorotype:   South African
Summer shedding:   Perennating


Derivation of the botanical name:

Asparagus; an ancient Greek name for the plant.

setaceus, bristled.
plumosus, feathery.
The Hebrew word: אספרג, asparag, transliteration from Greek asparagus

  • The standard author abbreviation Kunth is used to indicate Carl Sigismund Kunth (1788 – 1850), a German botanist.
  • The standard author abbreviation Jessop is used to indicate John Peter Jessop (1939 – ), an Australian botanist,Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium
  • The standard author abbreviation Baker is used to indicate John Gilbert Baker (1834 – 1920), an English botanist.