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asparagus albus - L.

Common Name
Family Asparagaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats High plateaux in hedges and scrub[46, 50].
Range Europe - W. and C. Mediterranean. N. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
asparagus albus


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ies
asparagus albus
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Ies

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
asparagus albus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots  Stem
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked[46, 61, 177]. A poor substitute for the cultivated asparagus[2].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in any good garden soil[200]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[1]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. The edible young shoots of this plant are sold in local markets in the Mediterranean area[46, 61]. Unlike most members of this genus, this species has hermaphrodite flowers

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Italy (s. & Sardinia, Sicily), Spain (incl. Baleares), France (Corse), Portugal AFRICA: Algeria (north), Libya (north), Morocco, Tunisia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Asparagus abyssinicus Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNDM20 
Asparagus acutifoliusWild asparagusPerennial1.5 7-10  LMSNDM300
Asparagus adscendens Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM21 
Asparagus albus Perennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNDM10 
Asparagus aphyllus Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNDM20 
Asparagus cochinchinensisChinese AsparagusPerennial1.5 6-9  LMHSNM332
Asparagus dauricus Perennial0.6 -  LMNDM10 
Asparagus filicinusFern AsparagusPerennial0.7 7-10  LMHSNM21 
Asparagus maritimus Perennial0.6 -  LMNDM10 
Asparagus officinalisAsparagus, Garden asparagusPerennial1.5 2-9  LMHSNM432
Asparagus racemosusShatavariPerennial7.0 8-11  LMHSNDM351
Asparagus sauveolens Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Asparagus schoberioides Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM21 
Asparagus setaceusAsparagus Fern, Common asparagus fern, Plumosa FernClimber3.0 9-11 MLMHNM10 
Asparagus stipularis Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Asparagus tenuifolius Perennial1.0 -  LMHNDM10 
Asparagus verticillatus Perennial4.0 5-9  LMHSNM20 
Lotus tetragonolobusAsparagus Pea, Winged peaAnnual0.3 0-0  LMHNDM30 
Ornithogalum pyrenaicumBath Asparagus, Pyrenees star of BethlehemBulb0.6 5-9  LMHSNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

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