Asparagus plumosus Baker, Asparagaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results: 

Reject, score: 16 (Go to the risk assessment (Australia))
High risk, score: 13 (Go to the risk assessment (Pacific))

Common name(s): [more details]

English: asparagus fern

Maori (Cook Islands): remu, remu, remu ‘enua, rimu, rimu, rimu

Samoan: lau lili‘i, lau lili‘i

Tongan: taupo ‘ou

Habit:  vine

Description:  "Plants very slender and intricately branched and tangled, often climbing to a height of 3 meters or more, deep green, woody; stems green; cladodes numerous, 8-20 in a cluster, mostly 5-7 mm long, terete; leaf scales on the main branches developing into short woody spines; flowers borne at the ends of the branchlets, white, the perianth lobes spreading, obovate; berry 1-3-seeded, purple-black" (Standley & Steyermark, 1952; pp. 69-70).

See also Asparagus setaceus.  Recently published work revealed that Asparagus setaceus and Asparagus plumosus can be "distinguished by the arrangement of the cladodes: all in 1 plane (A. plumosus) or radiating in many planes (A. setaceus).  If this classification is followed, then the plant widespread in cultivation is to be called A. plumosus; the genuine A. setaceus (Kunth) Jessop is not in cultivation"  (Imada, Staples & Herbst, 2000; p. 13).

Habitat/ecology:  In Fiji, " this widely grown species occurs only near sea level..." (Smith, 1979; p. 163)

Propagation:  Seed?

Native range:  Southern Africa (Smith, 1979; p. 163).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island		Yuncker, T. G. (1945) (p. 29) Voucher cited: Yuncker 9221 (BISH)
American Samoa Manu‘a Islands	Ta‘u Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1939) (voucher ID: BISH 112578) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 22) "Naturalised and becoming a serious pest". Vouchers cited: J. Pickard NSW 13929 (K, NSW), P.S. Green 2026 (K), G. Uhe 1337 (K)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 11) "Naturalised and becoming a serious pest". Vouchers cited: W.R. Sykes NI 504 (CHR), W.R. Sykes NI 539(CHR)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2011) Slightly naturalized
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 73) As Asparagus setaceus
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2011) Slightly naturalized
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 78) As Asparagus setaceus
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2011) Slightly naturalized
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 84) As Asparagus setaceus
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	introduced invasive cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2011) Slightly naturalized
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island	introduced invasive cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2011) Slightly naturalized
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 96) As Asparagus setaceus
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced invasive cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2011) Slightly naturalized
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 64) As Asparagus setaceus
Fiji Fiji Islands	Kandavu Island	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (p. 163) Voucher cited: DA 9643
Fiji Fiji Islands	Rotuma Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 618811) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (p. 163) Vouchers cited: DA 11233, DA 12136, DA Dec. 30, 1949.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1960) (voucher ID: BISH 34073) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Raro‘ia Atoll	introduced cultivated	Doty, Maxwell S. (1954) (p. 37)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 115)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Martz, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2002) (p. 21) Voucher cited: Starr & Martz 000620-2 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy W./Wagner, Warren L. (1995) (p. 40) Misidentified as Asparagus setaceus. Voucher cited D. Lorence 5569 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Oppenheimer, Hank (2008) (p. 29) Voucher cited: Oppenheimer, Perlman & Tangalin H10710 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Oppenheimer, Hank L./Bartlett, R. T. (2000) (p. 6) West Maui. Vouchers cited: Nagata 4444 (BISH), Oppenheimer H89919 (BISH), Oppenheimer H79908 (BISH), Oppenheimer H89915 (BISH), Oppenheimer H89922 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Oppenheimer, Hank L./Bartlett, Randal T. (2002) (p. 9) East Maui. Voucher cited: Oppenheimer, B. Haus & P. Welton H60023 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2006) (p. 36) Voucher cited: Starr & Starr 050517-3 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Imada, Clyde T./Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral R. (2000) (p. 13) Vouchers cited: Kraus s.n. (BISH 655272), G. Staples, S. Lum & K. Ahsing 1171 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (1999) (voucher ID: BISH 655272) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 254) Voucher cited: CHR 169851
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 5) As Asparagus setaceus
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 32)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 8) As Asparagus setaceus
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 8) As Asparagus setaceus
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 28549) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 28759) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1921) (voucher ID: BISH 699704) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1968) (voucher ID: BISH 699705) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (pp. 79-80) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15704
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 112579) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 6) As Asparagus setaceus
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	‘Uiha Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 6) As Asparagus setaceus. Voucher: Flynn 6878 (PTBG. US)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 6) As Asparagus setaceus
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (pp. 79-80) Vouchers cited: Hürlimann 236, Yuncker 15613
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 112580) Taxon name on voucher: Asparagus plumosus J.G.Baker
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 6) As Asparagus setaceus
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 6) As Asparagus setaceus

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive	Queensland Herbarium (2002) (p. 1)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced cultivated	Rivers, Julie (2004) (p. 7)

Comments:  A forest invader in Tonga, particularly noted on Lifuka/Foa and ‘Uiha (Ha‘apai group of islands), but reportedly present throughout the archipelago (Space & Flynn, 2001).

Additional information:
Additional online information about Asparagus plumosus is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Asparagus plumosus as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Asparagus plumosus may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1921. Voucher specimen #BISH 699704 (Eamea, A.J. 108).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1938. Voucher specimen #BISH 618811 (St.John, H. 19008).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1939. Voucher specimen #BISH 112578 (Yuncker, T.G. 9221).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1953. Voucher specimen #BISH 112579 (Yuncker, T.G. 15704).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1953. Voucher specimen #BISH 112580 (Yuncker, T.G. 15613).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1960. Voucher specimen #BISH 34073 (Pillay & Vorakitaki 12136).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1968. Voucher specimen #BISH 28549 (Bristol, M.L. 2017).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1968. Voucher specimen #BISH 28759 (Bristol, M.L. 2231).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1968. Voucher specimen #BISH 699705 (Bristol, M.L. 2185).

Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.). 1999. Voucher specimen #BISH655272(Kraus, F. s.n.).

Doty, Maxwell S. 1954. Floristic and Ecological Notes on Raroia Atoll, Tuamotus. Land biota: vascular plants. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 33. Pacific Science Board, National Academy of Sciences, Washington. 41 pp.

Imada, Clyde T./Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral R. 2000. New Hawaiian plant records for 1999. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Part 1: Articles. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 63:9-16.

Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy W./Wagner, Warren L. 1995. Contributions to the flora of Hawai‘i. III. New additions, range extensions, and rediscoveries of flowering plants. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Miller, Scott, E., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1994. Part 1: Articles. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 41:19-58.

McCormack, Gerald. 2011. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2. Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga.

Oppenheimer, Hank. 2008. New Hawaiian plant records for 2007. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucias G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2007. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 100:22-38.

Oppenheimer, Hank L./Bartlett, R. T. 2000. New plant records from Maui, O‘ahu, and the Hawai‘i Islands. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 64:1-10.

Oppenheimer, Hank L./Bartlett, Randal T. 2002. New plant records from the main Hawaiian Islands. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2000. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 69:1-14.

Orchard, Anthony E., ed. 1994. Flora of Australia. Vol. 49, Oceanic islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Queensland Herbarium. 2002. Invasive Naturalised Plants in Southeast Queensland, alphabetical by genus. Modified from: Batianoff, George N. and Butler, Don W. (2002). Assessment of Invasive naturalized plants in south-east Queensland. Appendix. Plant Protection Quarterly 17, 27-34. 11 pp.

Rivers, Julie. 2004. Botanical survey update of Diego Garcia, Chagos Archipeligo, British Indian Ocean Territory. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific. 16 pp. plus "List of the higher plants of Diego Garcia".

Smith, Albert C. 1979. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 1. 494 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2000. Report to the Government of Niue on invasive plant species of environmental concern.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 34 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2001. Report to the Kingdom of Tonga on invasive plant species of environmental concern.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 78 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2002. Report to the Government of the Cook Islands on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 146 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2002. Report to the Government of Samoa on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 83 pp.

Standley, Paul C./Steyermark, Julian A. 1952. Flora of Guatemala. Fieldiana: Botany. Vol. 24, Part III. Chicago Natural History Museum. 432 pp.

Starr, Forest/Martz, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. 2002. New plant records from the Hawaiian archipelago. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2000. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 69:16-27.

Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. 2006. New plant records from the Hawaiian Archipelago. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucias G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2004-2005. Part 1: Articles. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 87:31-43.

Stone, Benjamin C. 1970. The flora of Guam. Micronesica 6:1-659.

Sykes, W. R. 1970. Contributions to the flora of Niue. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 200, Wellington. 321 pp.

Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. Bernice P. Bishop Museum special publication. University of Hawai‘i Press/Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1919 pp. (two volumes).

Whistler, W. A. 1984. Annotated list of Samoan plant names. Economic Botany 38:464.489.

Yuncker, T. G. 1943. The flora of Niue Island. Bishop Mus. Bull. 178. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 126 pp.

Yuncker, T. G. 1945. Plants of the Manua Islands. Bishop Mus. Bull. 184. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 73 pp.

Yuncker, T. G. 1959. Plants of Tonga. Bishop Museum Bull. 220. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 343 pp.