Asparagus filicinus - Fern Asparagus

Family:	Asparagaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.7
Synonyms:
Range:	E. Asia - China, India.

Asparagus filicinus (Fern Asparagus) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.7m . It has a hardness rating of 8.
Fern Asparagus will flower in November to December. the seeds ripen from January to February
The flowers from this plant are dioecious (each plant is either male or female, thus both genders need to be present to seed) and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Fern Asparagus will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Fern Asparagus prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Fern Asparagus can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Loose humus rich soils in forests, 1700 - 2700m in the Himalayas[145].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in any good garden soil[200]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[1]. Plants are hardy to between -10 and -15°c[200]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Young shoots - cooked[158, 177]. Used as a vegetable[272].

• Stem - this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The dried root is antipyretic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, stomachic, nervous stimulant and tonic[218].

• Antipyretic - Treats fevers. See Febrifuge.
• Antitussive - Prevents or relieves coughing.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Expectorant - Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.
• Stomachic - Aids and improves the action of the stomach.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[134]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

Flora of China

Author:
Rating: http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher : On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Date of Publication : 1994

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