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garden asparagus
Scientific Name: Asparagus officinalis
Family: Liliaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
Asparagus, scientifically known as Asparagus officinalis, is a popular perennial vegetable enjoyed worldwide. Often referred to as garden asparagus, it's prized for its edible shoots, which are harvested in the spring.
Considerations for Pets
- While not explicitly stated as toxic, asparagus plants grow from crowns (dormant plants) and roots, which might pose a potential ingestion hazard for pets that dig in gardens.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Asparagus officinalis
- Family: Lily family (Liliaceae)
Distribution and Habitat
- Asparagus is widely grown in home gardens and cultivated across various regions, including the UK (Cumbria) at altitudes of almost 900 feet.
- It thrives in sunny, well-drained locations.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Asparagus is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for many years.
- It is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. Male plants are preferred for crop production as they do not flower or fruit, resulting in better yields.
- The edible part of the plant is the spears, which are harvested in the spring.
Cultivation
- Asparagus can be grown from seed, but planting one-year-old dormant plants (crowns) is more common.
- It's best to plant asparagus in early spring.
- Asparagus plants typically take three growing seasons to reach full production, although light harvesting can begin in the second year.
- Once established, asparagus beds can produce spears for 10-15 years, or even decades.
Quirky Facts
- Asparagus has been cultivated for over 2,000 years.
- Planting an asparagus bed correctly is sometimes described as a "once-in-a-generation affair" due to its long lifespan.
Further Information
- UC Davis, Vegetable Research and Information Center: Growing Asparagus in the Garden.