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Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
Family: Asparagaceae (Previously in Liliaceae) [E-flora]
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"Asparagus officinalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Bees.The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure." [PFAF]
"Asparagus is a widely grown, cultivated species that originates in Eurasia. In North America, it has been dispersed by birds outside of cultivation and is now found in most continental US states and in all Canadian provinces (USDA 2010). In British Columbia, it is established across the southern part of the province, where it may be found in a variety of habitats, from open fields and floodplains to roadsides and ditches." [E-flora]
"Asparagus is a perennial rhizomatous species that reproduces both vegetatively by rhizomes and by seed. The familiar asparagus stalks that we buy in the store are the young shoots of the plant that eventually expand as they grow into a relatively tall (up to 1.5 m), branching, fern-like plant that produces small green or yellowish-white, bell-shaped flowers and red berries. Male and female flowers are found on separate plants. The asparagus is a member of the Lily Family (Liliaceae)." [E-flora]
"General: Perennial herb from cord-like rhizome; stems numerous, clustered, erect, 1-1.5 m tall, green, fleshy and unbranched when young, becoming freely branched and "fern-like" with age, smooth; branchlets green, thread-like, mostly 8-15 mm long, in tufts in the axils of the leaves." [IFBC-E-flora]
Habitat/Range: "Mesic to dry fields, floodplain thickets, orchards, roadsides and ditches in the lowland and steppe zones; common in S BC east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains, rare along the SW coast; introduced from Europe." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Exotic [E-flora]
"Asparagus has been cultivated for over 2,000 years as a vegetable and medicinal herb[238]. Both the roots and the shoots can be used medicinally, they have a restorative and cleansing effect on the bowels, kidneys and liver[238]. The plant is antispasmodic, aperient, cardiac, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative and tonic[4, 21, 165, 201, 240]. The freshly expressed juice is used[4]. The root is diaphoretic, strongly diuretic and laxative[9, 218, 222]. An infusion is used in the treatment of jaundice and congestive torpor of the liver[240]. The strongly diuretic action of the roots make it useful in the treatment of a variety of urinary problems including cystitis[254]. It is also used in the treatment of cancer[218]. The roots are said to be able to lower blood pressure[7, 222]. The roots are harvested in late spring, after the shoots have been cut as a food crop, and are dried for later use[7]. The seeds possess antibiotic activity[222]. Another report says that the plant contains asparagusic acid which is nematocidal and is used in the treatment of schistosomiasis[238]." [PFAF]
Herb:
Root:
Select Activities: Antiaging (1; JNU); Antibacterial (1; APA; WO2); Anticancer (1;APA); Antiinflammatory (1; APA; JNU); Antileukemic (1; APA; BGB); Antioxidant (1; JNU); Antirheumatic (1; APA; PED; PNC); Antiviral (f; APA); Bitter (f; PED); Cardiosedative (1; WO2); Cardiotonic (1; PNC); Contraceptive (1; WO2; WO3); Diuretic (1; APA; KOM; PH2); Hypotensive (f; APA; BGB); Immunostimulant (1; BGB; JNU); Laxative (1; BGB; PED; PNC); Spermicide (1; PH2). [HMH Duke]
Select Indications: Acne (f; APA; BGB); Bacteria (1; APA; WO2); Bladder Stone (2; PHR; PH2); Cancer (1; APA); Cancer, mouth (1; JNU); Cancer, pharynx (1; JNU); Cardiopathy (1; BGB; LAF; JNU; PH2; PNC; WO2); Constipation (1; BGB; PED; PH2; PNC); Dropsy (f; PH2; WO2); Fertility (1; WO2); Gout (1; PH2; WO2); HIV (f; APA); High Blood Pressure (f; APA; BGB; LAF); Immunodepression (1; BGB; JNU); Inflammation (1; APA; JNU; PH2); Kidney Stone (2; APA; PH2); Leukemia (1; APA; BGB); Neurosis (f; PED; PNC); Rheumatism (1; APA; PED; PH2; PNC); Sore Throat (1; APA; JNU); Stone (2; KOM; PH2); Tuberculosis (1; WO2); UTI (2; KOM; PH2); Virus (f; APA); Water Retention (1; APA; KOM; PH2); [HMH Duke]
"Dosages (Asparagus) — Food farmacy (JAD); 1 tsp powdered seed in juice (APA); 45–60 g rhizome (KOM); 1 tbsp fresh root (PED); 1.5 g dry root (PED); 1.5 g:7 g alcohol, 8 ml water (PED). “Daily dosage is 45 to 80 g (PH2); a typical single dose is 800 mg” (PH2)." [HMH Duke]
Phytochemicals |
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ppm = parts per million |
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COMPOUNDS: ASPARAGUS HERB
"Flavonoids: including rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin" [PDR]
"Steroid saponins" [PDR]
COMPOUNDS: ASPARAGUS RHIZOME AND ROOT
"Steroid saponins: including asparagosides A, B, D, F, G, H, I, the bitter steroid saponins, aspartic saponin I" [PDR]
"Amino acids: among them sulphur-containing aspartic acid, the esters 3-mercapto- butyric acid, 3-methylthio-isobutyric acid, diisobutyric acid disulphide" [PDR]
"Fructans: asparagose, asparagosine" [PDR]
Root: "The main active principles are flavonol glycoside and furostanol and spirostanol glycosides, mainly derivatives of sarsapogenin. The distinctive odor of the urine after an individual has eaten asparagus is said to be caused by methylmercaptan" [PDR]
"Stem (Fresh weight) 26 Calories per 100g Water : 91.7% Protein: 2.5g; Fat: 0.2g; Carbohydrate: 5g; Fibre: 0.7g; Ash: 0.6g; Minerals - Calcium: 22mg; Phosphorus: 62mg; Iron: 1mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 2mg; Potassium: 278mg; Zinc: 0mg; Vitamins - A: 540mg; Thiamine (B1): 0.18mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0.2mg; Niacin: 1.5mg; B6: 0mg; C: 33mg; Reference: [ 218]" [PFAF]
"Extracts (Asparagus) — Asparagusic acid nematicidal. As the richest source of glutathione (at least as cited in JNU), asparagus could be credited with many of the activities of glutathione, a major antioxidant that also detoxifies carcinogens and pollutants, maintains healthy liver, boosts the immune system, aids cell replication, repairs damaged DNA, and reduces inflammation." [HMH Duke]
Propagation
"Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[134]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth." [PFAF]
Cultivation
"Wild asparagus is a perennial. During the spring, the rootstock sends up the young shoots. Asparagus is an excellent garden plant, once established. The plant's underground rhizomes spread regularly, and one patch can produce edible shoots for up to 100 years." [????]
"Easily grown in any good garden soil[16]. Prefers a rich well-drained sandy loam and a sunny position[1, 16, 27, 238]. Prefers a pH of 6.5 or higher[200], though it tolerates a pH in the range 4.3 to 8.2. Asparagus is often cultivated as a luxury vegetable, there are some named varieties[16, 183]. Well-tended plants can be long-lived, an asparagus bed can last for well over 20 years. Asparagus is a good companion plant for tomatoes, parsley and basil[18, 20, 201]. When grown together, tomatoes help to protect asparagus from the asparagus beetle[201]. Asparagus is said to repel the nematodes that can infect tomatoes[201] (see the report below on the plants other uses). A good bee plant[108]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required." [PFAF]
Synonyms
Asparagus officinalis subsp. officinalis . [E-flora]
"Perennial herb. Inflorescence: pedicels slender, jointed near middle. Flower: stamens ± >= perianth, exserted; style 1, short, slender, stigmas 3.
± 300 species: especially northern temperate. (Greek: ancient name) Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessop misappl. to A. aethiopicus L., a waif." [Jepson]