Horticulture/Asparagus

Asparagus is the name of a genus of plants, a member of the family Asparagaceae (formerly placed in the ../Liliaceae/). There are up to 300 species, all from the Old World, introduced in many countries in both hemispheres and throughout temperate and tropical regions. Many species from Africa are now included in the genera Protasparagus and Myrsiphyllum. However, recent studies have shown that the taxonomic level genera may not be appropriate; instead, division into subgenera or no division at all may be more appropriate.

Description
They range from herbs to somewhat woody climbers. Most species have flattened stems (phylloclades), that serve the function of leaves. Three species (../Asparagus officinalis/, "../Asparagus schoberioides/ and ../Asparagus cochinchinensis/) are dioecious species, i.e. with male and female flowers on separate plants. The others may or may not be hermaphroditic.

Species

 * ../Asparagus aethiopicus/ (= Protasparagus aethiopicus)
 * ../Asparagus africanus/ (= Protasparagus africanus ?) - African Asparagus
 * ../Asparagus asparagoides/ ( = Myrsiphyllum asparagoides) - Smilax, African Asparagus Fern, (Austr.) Bridal Creeper
 * ../Asparagus cochinchinensis/
 * ../Asparagus declinatus/ - Foxtail Asparagus Fern, (Austr.) Bridal vein
 * ../Asparagus densiflorus/ (= Protasparagus densiflorus) - Ground Asparagus, Asparagus Fern, (S. Afr.) Emerald Fern, Basket Asparagus
 * Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri' ( = Protasparagus densiflorus 'Sprenger') - Sprenger's Asparagus
 * ../Asparagus falcatus/
 * ../Asparagus macowanii/ (= Protasparagus macowanii)
 * ../Asparagus officinalis/ - Asparagus
 * Asparagus officinalis officinalis - Garden Asparagus
 * Asparagus officinalis prostratus
 * ../Asparagus plumosus/ (= Protasparagus plumosus ?) - Asparagus Fern, Florist's Fern, (Austr.) Climbing Asparagus
 * Asparagus Plumosus Nanus is a greenhouse variety, bearing fern-like foliage.
 * ../Asparagus racemosus/
 * ../Asparagus scandens/
 * ../Asparagus schoberioides/
 * ../Asparagus setaceus/ (= Protasparagus setaceus) - Fern Asparagus, Lace Fern
 * ../Asparagus sprengeri/ - a greenhouse climber with light and elegant foliage.
 * ../Asparagus umbellatus/
 * ../Asparagus virgatus/

Uses
The best known member of the genus is the vegetable asparagus (../Asparagus officinalis/). Other species of asparagus are grown as ornamental plants. Some species such as ../Asparagus setaceus/ have branches that resemble 'ferns', hence they are often called "Asparagus fern" (though they are not true ferns). They are often used for foliage display, and as houseplants. Commonly-grown ornamental species are ../Asparagus plumosus/, ../Asparagus densiflorus/, and ../Asparagus sprengeri/. Some other species have been introduced as weeds, such as Bridal Creeper, ../Asparagus asparagoides/, which is a major weed species in southern Australia.

Propagation
Division or seed.

Pests and diseases
Fusarium root and crown rot ../Rust/ ../Blight/
 * Fusarium monoliforme
 * Fusarium oxysporium asparagi
 * Asparagus rust, caused by the fungus Puccinia asparagi.
 * ../Botrytis cinerea/.

../Aphids/ ../Mealybugs/ ../Bugs/ ../Thrips/ ../Flies/ ../Beetles/ ../Caterpillars/ ../Millipedes/
 * Cotton Aphid: ../Aphis gossypii/
 * Asparagus Aphid: ../Brachycorynella asparagi/
 * Green Peach Aphid: ../Myzus persicae/
 * Citrus mealybug: ../Planococcus citri/
 * Garden Fleahopper: ../Halticus bractatus/
 * Tarnished Plant Bug: ../Lygus lineolaris/
 * Western Flower Thrips: ../Frankliniella occidentalis/
 * Onion Thrips: ../Thrips tabaci/
 * Asparagus Leafminer: ../Ophiomyia simplex/
 * Asparagus Fly: ../Platyparaea poeciloptera/, a fruit fly.
 * Asparagus Beetle: ../Crioceris asparagi/ (Asparagus Beetle)
 * Spotted Asparagus Beetle: ../Crioceris duodecimpunctata/ (Spotted Asparagus Beetle)
 * ../Coleophora amaranthella/
 * Saltmarsh Caterpillar: ../Estigmene acrea/
 * Redbacked Cutworm: ../Euxoa ochrogster/
 * Variegated Cutworm: ../Peridroma saucia/
 * Beet Armyworm: ../Spodoptera exigua/
 * Ghost Moth,
 * The Nutmeg
 * Small Fan-footed Wave
 * Turnip Moth.
 * Garden Symphylan: ../Scutigerella immaculata/ (feeds on roots)