|Scientific names||Common names|
|Asparagus comorensis Hort.||Asparagus fern (Engl.)|
|Asparagus setaceus (Kunth) Jessop||Climbing asparagus fern (Engl.)|
|Asparagus plumosus Baker||Climbing feather fern (Engl.)|
|Asparagopsis setacea Kunth||Esparrago plumosa (Span.)|
|Common asparagus fern (Engl.)|
|Feather fern (Engl.)|
|Ornamental asparagus (Engl.)|
|Wen zhu (Chin.)|
|Other vernacular names|
|FRENCH: Asparagus des fleuristes.|
|SPANISH: Esparrago plumosa, Esparraguera de las floristas.|
|THAI: Prong fa.|
Genus Asparagus of the Liliaceae family is of medical importance because of its steroidal sapogenins used as precursors for many pharmacologically active steroids.
– Cultivated for ornamental use.
– Native of Africa.
– Cultivated in most warm countries.
• Study isolated furostanol glycosides from Asparagus plumosus leaves.
•Traditionally, antimalarial, diuretic.
Folkloric medicinal application.
– In Mexico a decoction of the branches are used for pulmonary infections; decoction of roots used as a diuretic.
– In Tanzania, the Lobedu drink a cold infusion of leaves and stem for malaria.
– In Pakistan, root tubers used with boiled milk and sugar for dysentery and diarrhea.
– Ornamental: The cuts sprays of the asparagus fern are ornamental favorites among florists for its beauty and lasting quality.
• Phytochemicals / Glycosides:
(1) A methanolic extract study of leaves of A plumosus yielded two new furostanol glycosides.
(2) Study yielded three spirostanol glycosides from the leaves.
Cultivated for ornmental use.
Seeds in the cybermarket.
Read about other interesting fruits
Read about herbs and spices