Asparagus Spears: Growing Practices and Nutritional Information

By Agrihortico CPL

Asparagus is a cool-season vegetable that belongs to the family Liliaceae. Botanical name of asparagus is Asparagus officinalis. It is an herbaceous perennial plant. Tender shoots (spears) of asparagus plants are used as a leafy vegetable. Asparagus is believed to be originated in Europe, Africa and Asia. Young shoots of Asparagus are very rich in minerals like iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, selenium, calcium, magnesium and zinc. It is also rich in vitamins and major vitamin present in asparagus are vitamin B6, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, rutin, niacin, and folic acid. Asparagus shoots are low in calories, low in sodium, rich in protein and a rich source of dietary fiber. Asparagus shoots are also rich in an amino acid called asparagine. Dried asparagus roots are used as a medicine because of its diuretic properties. Productive life of a well-managed commercial asparagus plantation is about 10 to 15 years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AGRIHORTICO
• Release date: Mar 19, 2021

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Asparagus: An Introduction

Asparagus is widely cultivated as a cool-season vegetable crop in temperate regions of the world. The plant belongs to the family Asparagaceae. It is believed to be originated in Europe and Western Asia. Botanical name of asparagus is Asparagus officinalis. A detailed taxonomic classification of asparagus plants is given below:

Plant Description: Asparagus is an herbaceous perennial plant that grows to a height of 1-1.5 meter upon full growth. The plant is highly-branched with feathery ornamental foliage. The needle-like, feathery leaves are actually modified stems. Leaves are 1 -3 cm long and 1 mm wide. Leaves appear in clusters of 4-15 and look very ornamental. The plants have bell-shaped, greenish-white to yellowish flowers which are about 4.5–6.5 mm long. Flowers are with six tepals (sepals and petals fused together) and are produced singly or in cluster of two or three. Flowers appear in the junctions of the branchlets.

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Figure 1: Asparagus Plants

Asparagus plants are dioecious