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Summary
Physical Characteristics
asparagus racemosus is a PERENNIAL growing to 7 m (23ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August. 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; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root Shoots Stem
Edible Uses:
Tender young shoots - cooked as a vegetable[272]. A preserve prepared from the blanched shoots is said to be very agreeable[2]. The tuber are candied as a sweetmeat[2]. The only flavour is said to be that of the sugar[2]. The roots are 5 - 13cm long[243].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
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Alterative Antispasmodic Aphrodisiac Demulcent Digestive Diuretic Dysentery Galactogogue
Infertility Women's complaints
Shatavari (this is an Indian word meaning 'a woman who has a hundred husbands') is the most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine for dealing with problems connected women's fertility[238]. The rhizome is a soothing tonic that acts mainly on the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and female reproductive organs[238]. The root is alterative, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic, galactogogue and refrigerant[240, 243]. It is taken internally in the treatment of infertility, loss of libido, threatened miscarriage, menopausal problems, hyperacidity, stomach ulcers and bronchial infections[238]. Externally it is used to treat stiffness in the joints[238]. The root is used fresh in the treatment of dysentery. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for use in treating other complaints[238]. The whole plant is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, rheumatism, diabetes and brain complaints[243].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Soap
The squeezed root is used for washing clothes[272].
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 very frost-hardy and generally needs to be grown in a frost-free or fairly frost-free climate[200, 238]. It can be grown as a half-hardy perennial in areas where the winter is too cold for it to survive outdoors. The tubers are harvested in the autumn, stored in a cool frost-free place and replanted in the spring[238]. The rots of this species are commonly collected from the wild for medicinal use. Overcollection in some areas of its range are causing conservation concerns[272]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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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
TROPICAL ASIA: Bhutan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Myanmar, Indonesia (Jawa, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku), Malaysia (Malaya) AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Queensland (north), Western Australia (north), Northern Territory (north)) AFRICA: Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Eswatini, South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga), Madagascar
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 :
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
Willd.
Botanical References
200266
Links / References
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