A member of the Liliaceae family, the shatavari plant is known throughout the world by its scientific name, Asparagus densiflorus cv sprengeri. The shatavari is known by many common names including: racemose asparagus, lace fern, plumosa fern, sprengeri fern, emerald fern, emerald feather and asparagus. The Shatavari is a small shrub plant is brightly green in coloration and produces small berries. The shatavari is originally found in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, but has become a popular household plant across North America.
Shatavari is generally not harmful to cats in small doses, but can cause severe effects to felines if large amount are ingested or if the plant is consumed over a long period of time. Shatavari contains sapogenins that cause great irritation to the feline’s mouth, stomach and lower digestive system. These toxic sapogenins cause the feline to develop clinical signs of an allergic reaction, anorexia, diarrhea vomiting, contact dermatitis (an allergy of the skin when coming into contact with an irritating substance) if consumed over a long period of time.