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Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ Sprenger’s asparagus, asparagus fern, emerald fern, basket asparagus,
Asparagus ferns are so named because the soft, delicate-looking tufts of needlelike leaves look a bit like asparagus. They aren't really ferns—ferns don't have flowers and berries and these do. The leaves are actually short branches (cladodes). The real leaves are inconsequential and look like scales. The plant is native to South Africa. Identification: These plants are not natives, but they can spread rapidly under the right conditions. The soft-looking, drooping fronds are quite distinctive, and conceal small thorns. Flowers are barely noticeable. Berries are small and bright red. They are popular as house plants. Edibility: Poisonous. Online References:
Forest and Kim Starr’s Starr Environmental site as Compiled by the Master Gardeners of the University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension The South African National Biodiversity Institute's web site, plantzafrica.com The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences
Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’ description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 6 Sep 2021.
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8/19/2004 · Kula Botanical Garden, Maui, Hawaii
9/7/2010 · Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, Massachusetts
2/26/2010 · San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California Range: Zones 9-11:
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These ferns are not
severely poisonous—symptoms are 
