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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Asparagus cochinchinensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in September. 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 moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
A. cochinchinensis. (Lour.)Merr. A. falcatus. Benth. A. insularis. Hance. Melanthium cochinchinen
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Root
Edible Uses:
Tubers - cooked[1, 61, 177]. The tubers are up to 5cm long and 2m wide[266]. They are washed to remove the bitterness, the fibrous core is removed and the root is then boiled[46, 179]. It tastes like asparagus[22]. Another report says that the tubers are eaten after preserving in sugar[183]. The fruit is said to be edible[183]. The fruit is about 6 - 8mm in diameter[200]. Another report says that the berries are harmful if eaten[238].
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.
Antibacterial Antiinflammatory Antipyretic Antiseptic Antitussive Cancer Diuretic Expectorant
Infertility Nervine Sialagogue Stomachic Tonic
This species has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years[238]. The roots contain asparagine, mucilage, starch and sugars[283]. The dried root is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antiseptic, antitussive, diuretic, expectorant, nervine, sialagogue, stomachic, nervous stimulant and tonic[176, 178, 218, 238, 279]. It is taken internally in the treatment of fevers, debility, sore throats, coughs etc[238]. It is often decocted with other herbs and used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including diabetes mellitus[218]. It is commonly used in restorative recipes together with Rehmannia glutinosa and Codonopsis javanica[283]. Prolonged usage is recommended for the treatment of impotence[218]. The root is harvested when the plant is dormant and is dried for later use[238]. The plant has a folk history for the treatment of cancer, modern research has detected antitumour activity and it is now being studied for the treatment of lung cancer[218].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Insecticide
Kills the larvae of flies and mosquitoes[176]. No more details.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Easily grown in any good garden soil[200]. Prefers a rich light well-drained sandy loam in a sunny position[238]. Plants are almost hardy in Britain according to one report[1], whilst others say that the plants tolerate temperatures down to between -10 and -15°c[200, 238]. 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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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: China (Anhui Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guizhou Sheng, Shanxi Sheng (east & south), Shandong Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Xizang Zizhiqu, Hainan Sheng), Korea, Japan (Honshu, Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands, Shikoku), Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: Laos, Vietnam (possibly), Philippines (Luzon (north))
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
(Lour.)Merr.
Botanical References
58200266
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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