Asparagus Fern — Asparagus densiflorus (Sprenger’s Asparagus; syn. Asparagus aethiopicus L., Asparagopsis densiflora Kunth, Protasparagus aethiopicus (L.) Oberm., Protasparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Oberm.) is a weed native to South Africa, which is often used as an ornamental plant. Asparagus densiflorus is toxic to domestic housecats.
Also known as ‘Sprengers Asparagus’, named after Carl Ludwig Sprenger who made it popular in Europe as an ornamental plant.
The species most commonly called asparagus fern, or lace fern, A. setaceus, has leaf clusters arranged in a flat, triangular spray. Baby smilax, A. asparagoides myrtifolius, has broad, glossy leaves. Foxtail asparagus, A. densiflorus, has stiff, upright stems that are densely covered with tiny, needlelike leaves. Sickle thorn asparagus, A. falcatus, has glossy leaves.