Asparagus arborescens

Populations outside protected areas are under threat from development for tourism and the construction of new roads. Overgrazing by goats and rabbits is an additional threat, especially in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Invasive species, such as Opuntia spp., Agave spp. and expanding populations of Pennisetum setaceum also threaten this species.

The genus Asparagus is listed in Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Some populations occur within existing protected areas; however, these populations are not monitored or managed and the problem of invasive species and overgrazing also occurs at these sites. There is a need for population genetic and reproductive biology studies.

No germplasm accessions of A. arborescens are reported by EURISCO to be held in European genebanks (EURISCO Catalogue 2010). A review of the ex situ conservation status of this species is required and germplasm collection and duplicated ex situ storage should be carried out as necessary. It is thought that material might be stored in the seed bank of the Jardin Botánico Viera y Clavijo and grown in the living collection.