Evan-Amos · CC BY-SA 3.0
About
While the article primarily discusses *Asparagus officinalis*, it notes that populations grown natively to the western coasts of Europe are treated as *A. officinalis* subsp. *prostratus*, which is distinguished by its low-growing, often prostrate stems and shorter cladodes.
Field notes
Morphology
The plant is an herbaceous, perennial type, growing typically to 100–150 cm tall, with stout stems and feathery foliage. The 'leaves' are needle-like cladodes, measuring 6–32 mm long and 1 mm broad, clustered in fours. Flowers are bell-shaped, greenish-white to yellowish, 4.5–6.5 mm long. The fruit is a small red berry 6–10 mm in diameter.
Distribution & habitat
Generally includes most of Europe and western temperate Asia. Populations grown natively to the western coasts of Europe are noted.
Cultivation notes
The species thrives in soils that are too saline for normal weeds to grow. It is traditionally planted with 'crowns' in winter, with shoots appearing in spring. Purple asparagus was originally developed in Italy, near the city of Albenga.
History & etymology
The English word asparagus derives from classical Latin, and the plant was once known as sperage. The term itself derives from Ancient Greek: ἀσπάραγος, which is of uncertain provenance.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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