ASPARAGUS

Asparagus is a perennial and a Permaculture plant par excellence. It has both male plants and female plants (i.e. it is dioecious). The flowers on the male plants look like yellowish green bells and the female's flowers are smaller and quite inconspicuous. Asparagus plants are ferny and grow to one and a half metres.

Plant Names
Botanical Family: 
LILIACEAE
Common Name: 
ASPARAGUS
Genus: 
Asparagus
Species: 
officinalis
About the Name: 

in Greek, asparagus means "first sprout" and in Latin officinalis, the apothecary shop.

Origins: 
<p>Asparagus is a native of coastal areas and river banks of Europe and southern Russia. It has been taken from its natural habitat to the garden and slowly improved by selection. Seed savers have been at work! The Romans cultivated it and so did the Gauls, who used it as a medicinal plant. It has now reverted to its wild form in many wasteland areas and become bush tucker.</p>
Plant Description: 
<p>Asparagus is a perennial and a Permaculture plant par excellence. It has both male plants and female plants (i.e. it is dioecious). The flowers on the male plants look like yellowish green bells and the female's flowers are smaller and quite inconspicuous. Asparagus plants are ferny and grow to one and a half metres.</p>
Variety Notes: 
<p>In Geelong, Victoria a certain Monsieur Tournouer grew asparagus plants that he brought from France in 1866. Other French settlers introduced their plants to different parts of Australia, both before and after that time. Some of the original strains may well have survived and would be worth tracking down and tasting. Supermale produces only males which means there is no competition for the established plants from volunteer seedlings. Ask around for Grosse Blanche, Asperge Verte, Asperge d'Argenteuil, which bears even-sized spears until the season finishes, and Asperge de Vineuil which is suitable to cool, foggy areas. English-named varieties include Early Giant and Violet of Holland (the ancestor of many of today's varieties), which have pink or purple tips; Connover's Colossal, which has very thick spears, may not be as appetizing. California 500, which is an improvement on Mary Washington, is popular in New Zealand.</p>

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