6 ASPARAGUS 
ORNAMENTAL SPECIES 
A. medeoloides (Myrsiphyllum asparagoides), popu- 
larly known as Smilax.—For many years this has been, 
and is yet, one of the most commonly grown and the 
most serviceable of the plants used by florists as 
‘“green.’’ It is readily grown from seed in the green- 
house. While a few other species of asparagus have 
been close rivals, it is yet unexcelled for many pur- 
poses of floral decorations. 
A, plumosus (the plumy asparagus).—A very 
graceful climbing plant which for finer decoration has 
largely taken the place of smilax, its foliage being finer 
than that of the most delicate ferns, and will last for 
weeks after being cut. The whole plant is of a 
bright, cheerful green. Its branches spread horizon- 
tally, and branch again in such a manner as to forma 
flat, frond-like arrangement, the leaves being very 
numerous, in clusters of about a dozen, bright green, 
and one-half inch long. A native of South Africa, 
where it climbs over bushes and branches in moist 
situations. "There are several named varieties of this, 
most of which have originated in gardens. The most 
distinct are A. fenuisstmus and A. plumosus nanus, the 
fern-like appearance of which is seen in Fig. 2. 
A. Sprengert.—This is one of the best and most 
attractive house plants of recent introduction. It is 
of graceful form and habit when grown as a pot plant, 
but it is equally well suited for planting in hanging 
baskets. Its fronds are frequently four feet long, of a 
rich shade of green, and very useful for cutting, retain- 
ing their freshness for weeks after being cut. Asa 
