Asparagus verticillatus locally naturalised in south Moravia (SE Czech Republic)

Asparagus verticillatus (Asparagaceae), a dioecious, climbing perennial native mainly to the Balkan Peninsula, south-eastern Europe and some parts of south-west Asia, is rarely cultivated in the Czech Republic as an
ornamental and in botanical gardens. In spring 2017 a small population of A. verticillatus was found in abandoned dry grassland around a former limestone quarry next to the Czech-Austrian border west of the village of Úvaly near the town of Valtice in southern Moravia. The population consists of several adult plants, both male and female, the latter with abundant fruits, and of approx. 20 young specimens.

The plants climb on shrubs of Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa and Rosa canina. The species seems to be well established at the site, and young plants, which are scattered all over the site, may already represent the second generation. A small young specimen was found also on the Austrian side of the dry grassland area. In early autumn of the same year a large adult male plant of A. verticillatus was discovered in the Budkovické slepence Nature Monument next to the village of Budkovice east of the town of Ivančice, south-west Moravia, and two juvenile plants were observed at the southern edge of the same village.

To our knowledge, these are the first records of A. verticillatus in the wild in the Czech Republic. As only one well-established population has been found, we suggest classifying this species as a casual neophyte in the country’s flora. However, further spread may be assumed, as suitable habitats are common in south Moravia.