Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis, Sp. Pl.: 313 (1753))

Family: Asparagaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 313 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Asparagus

Vegetable: True

Observations: Europe to Mongolia

Description

Asparagus, scientifically named Asparagus officinalis, is a perennial flowering plant renowned for its young shoots, which are prized as a spring vegetable. First described by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, asparagus has a storied history of cultivation and usage that dates back to ancient times.

Native to a vast region stretching from Europe to Mongolia, asparagus thrives in a variety of climates and soils, making it a versatile addition to gardens worldwide. It has been celebrated not only for its culinary applications but also for its historical medicinal uses.

Belonging to the Asparagaceae family, asparagus plants are known for their tall, feathery foliage that emerges after the spears are harvested. The spears themselves are cylindrical and succulent, typically harvested in early spring before the tips begin to open. When allowed to grow, the spears can reach heights that support the fine, fern-like leaves characteristic of the mature plant.

Asparagus horticulture involves patience and care, as plants usually require a few years of growth before they yield their first harvestable shoots. However, once established, an asparagus bed can be productive for decades, offering a long-term return on initial planting efforts.

On the culinary front, asparagus is celebrated for its distinct flavor and nutrition profile. It is low in calories but rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, folate, and vitamin C. Moreover, the preparation methods for asparagus are diverse, ranging from simple steaming or boiling to grilling or roasting, enhancing its versatility in the kitchen.

In sum, asparagus officinalis is a plant that integrates historical significance, horticultural interest, and nutritional value. Its enduring popularity continues to reflect its importance across cultures and cuisines, cementing its place in gardens and kitchens alike.

Common Names

Swe: (ruoka)parsa, penningört, storskärvfrö, volgasenap, vårskärvfrö, sparris, asparagus, vanlig sparris
Fin: (ruoka)parsa, kevättaskuruoho, peltotaskuruoho, rikkataskuruoho, volganpernaruoho
Dan: almindelig pengeurt, almindelig asparges, asparges, hjertebladet pengeurt, volga-vejsennep
Eng: asparagus, garden asparagus, wild asparagus, common asparagus
Deu: garten-spargel, gemuese spargel, gemüse-spargel, spargel
Nor: pengeurt, volgasennep, vårpengeurt
Isl: peningakál
Mlt: spraġġ
Lit: vaistinis smidras
Ita: asparagio
Nob: asparges
Nno: asparges
Por: aspargo, espargo, melindre, milindro
Fra: asperge, asperge officinale
Nld: asperge en liggende asperge, asperge
Spa: esparraguera, espárrago
Lat: asparagus
Cym: merllys yr ardd
En: Asparagus, Garden asparagus, GARDEN-ASPARAGUS, Gemüsespargel, Sparc, ꯅꯨꯡꯒꯥꯔꯩ, Wild asparagus, Common asparagus
Af: Aspersie
Sq: Shpargulli mjekësor
Ar: هليون, Halgun
Hy: Ծնեբեկ
Az: Dərman qulançarı
Ba: Себен үләне
Eu: Zainzuri
Be: Спаржа, Спаржа лекавая
Bn: শতমূলী
Bs: Šparoga
Br: Asperjez
Bg: Обикновена аспержа
My: ကညွတ်ပင်
Ca: Espàrrec, Esparreguera, Esparreguera d’hort
Zh: Shi diao bai, 石刁柏, 蘆筍
Cv: Эмелле спаржа
Kw: Merles
Hr: Šparoga
Cs: Chřest lékařský
Da: Almindelig Asparges, Almindelig Pengeurt, Asparges, Hjertebladet Pengeurt, Volga-Vejsennep
Nl: Asperge en liggende asperge, Asperge, Tuin Asperge
Eo: Asparago
Et: Harilik aspar
Fo: Aspargus
Fi: Ruokaparsa, (ruoka)parsa, Kevättaskuruoho, Peltotaskuruoho, Rikkataskuruoho, Volganpernaruoho
Fr: Asperge, Asperge officinale
Gl: Esparragueira
Ka: Ბაღის სატაცური
De: Spargel, Gemüsespargel, Gemeiner Spargel, Gemüse-Spargel, Garten-Spargel, Gemuese Spargel
El: Sparaggi, Σπαράγγι
He: אספרג רפואי
Hi: शतावर
Hu: Közönséges spárga
Is: Spergill, Peningakál
Io: Asparago
Ga: Lus súch
It: Asparagio, Asparago comune, Asparago, Rusco, Spalice, Sparaci, Sparaciu di Genova, Sparaciu di curmu, Sparaciu domitu, Sparaciu finu, Sparagana, Sparagio
Ja: Oranda-kiji-kakushi
Kn: ಶತಾವರಿ
Kk: Қояншөп
Rw: Asiperije
Ko: 아스파라거스
Ku: Kilig
Lo: ໜໍ່ຝະລັ່ງ
La: Asparagus
Lv: Sparģeļi
Li: Asperge
Lt: Vaistinis smidras
Lb: Spargel
Mk: Аспара́гус
Ml: ശതാവരി
Mt: Spraġġ
Gv: Asparag
Mr: अस्पॅरॅगस
Nv: Chʼałdą́ą́ʼ / Jádí nátʼoh
Ne: कुरिलो
No: Asparges, Pengeurt, Volgasennep, Vårpengeurt
Nb: Asparges
Nn: Asparges
Oc: Espàrgol
Or: ସତମୂଳୀ
Pa: ਸ਼ਤਾਵਰ
Fa: مارچوبه
Pl: Szparag lekarski
Pt: Espargo, Aspargo, Melindre, Milindro, Corruda
Pt-br: Aspargo
Qu: Isparaw
Ro: Sparanghel
Ru: Спаржа лекарственная
Gd: Creamh-na-muice-fiadhaich
Sr: Шпаргла
Sd: اسپريگس
Sk: Asparágus lekársky
Es: Espárrago, Esparraguera, Beluš, Espárrago verano, Aspárago, Espárrago común
Sv: Sparris, (ruoka)parsa, Penningört, Storskärvfrö, Volgasenap, Vårskärvfrö, Asparagus, Vanlig sparris
Tl: Esparago
Zh-tw: 蘆筍
Ta: சாத்தாவாரியினம்
Te: ఆస్పరాగస్
Th: หน่อไม้ฝรั่ง
Bo: འདམ་མྱུག
Tr: Kuşkonmaz
Uk: Аспарагус садовий
Ur: ہلیون
Vi: Măng tây
Vo: Sparag
Wa: Aspedje
Cy: Merllys yr Ardd
Fy: Asperzje
Wo: Yar u golo
Yi: ספארזשע

Synonyms

• Asparagus tenuifolius (Gilib.)
• Asparagus setiformis var. typicus (Krylov)
• Asparagus setiformis (Krylov)
• Asparagus officinalis var. collinus (Nyman)
• Asparagus altilis subsp. oxycarpus ((Steven) K.Richt.)
• Asparagus hortensis (Mill. ex Baker)
• Asparagus fiori (Sennen)
• Asparagus officinalis var. campestris (Gren. & Godr.)
• Asparagus setiformis var. tenuior (Krylov)
• Asparagus officinalis var. viridis (Alef.)
• Asparagus officinalis var. strictus (Boiss.)
• Asparagus scaber var. littoralis ((Steven) Nyman)
• Asparagus officinalis subsp. altilis ((L.) Cif. & Giacom.)
• Asparagus caspius (Hohen.)
• Asparagus paragus (Gueldenst. ex Ledeb.)
• Asparagus polyphyllus (Steven ex Ledeb.)
• Asparagus altilis subsp. polyphyllus ((Steven ex Ledeb.) K.Richt.)
• Asparagus trichophyllus var. medius (Bong. & C.A.Mey.)
• Asparagus officinalis var. oxycarpus ((Steven) Nyman)
• Asparagus esculentus (Salisb.)
• Asparagus officinalis var. sativus ((Mill.) Gray)
• Asparagus officinalis var. silvestris (Alef.)
• Asparagus officinalis var. altilis (L.)
• Asparagus officinalis var. ruficeps (Alef.)
• Asparagus vulgaris (Gueldenst. ex Ledeb.)
• Asparagus sativus (Mill.)
• Asparagus officinalis var. pallidus (Alef.)
• Asparagus litoralis (Steven)
• Asparagus hedecarpus (Andrews ex Baker)
• Asparagus officinalis var. littoralis (Sennen ex O.Bolòs & Vigo)
• Asparagus officinalis subsp. litoralis ((Steven) Shiyan)
• Asparagus officinalis subsp. polyphyllus ((Steven ex Ledeb.) Nyman)
• Asparagus scaber var. litoralis ((Steven) Nyman)
• Asparagus oxycarpus (Steven)
• Asparagus collinus (Schur)
• Asparagus altilis ((L.) Asch.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 8, 2015 by Tela Botanica − _ _ (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2020 by Robert Robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 18, 2021 by marj gour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 28, 2021 by flor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 26, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2021 by dreox dan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 9, 2019 by lime56 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2022 by Sala Elisa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 26, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 28, 2015 by Samuel Dufour-Kowalski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by Bela Borbely (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Emeline (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2022 by sara mega (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2768885)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:531229-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Asparagus officinalis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Sowing: Transplant crowns outside, or start seeds indoors

Row spacing: {‘cm’: 30}

Spread: {‘cm’: 42}

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 4