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Asparagus aphyllus - L.

Common Name
Family Asparagaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Hedges and rocky limestone hills[148].
Range S. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Asparagus aphyllus


Asparagus aphyllus

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Asparagus aphyllus is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is 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 is pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile.
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 - raw or cooked[2, 183]. A slightly bitter flavour[148, 177].

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

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in any good garden soil[200]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[1]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

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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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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

TEMPERATE ASIA: Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria (west), Turkey (west) EUROPE: Greece (incl. Crete), Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Spain, Portugal AFRICA: Egypt (north), Libya (north), Morocco

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 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

50

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